Saudi Gazette report

NEW YORK — The Yemeni government disclosed on Saturday that it is close to reaching an agreement with Houthis on the exchange of prisoners, detainees, kidnapped and missing persons and those under arbitrary detention of the militias.

This was announced by Yemen’s Ambassador to Washington Ahmed Awadh Bin Mubarak in a statement before the UN Security Council.

Bin Mubarak said the Yemeni government has agreed to exchange Houthi prisoners of war with people detained or were abducted for reasons that have nothing to do with the war.

The Yemeni government reiterated its stance supporting the efforts of UN envoy for peace in Yemen Martin Griffiths, expressing its hope that the Houthi side would comply by attending the talks with sincere intention to discuss a package of proposed confidence building measures.

Bin Mubarak said the Houthi militias were recruiting children and rigging houses and the seaport in Hodeida.

He said there ought to be real, just, comprehensive and sustainable peace based on the three references agreed on: peace that ends the coup, restores state institutions, and ensures handing over of heavy and medium weapons to the legitimate military institution.

He said the Yemeni government has taken measures to stop the deterioration of the Yemeni currency and economy.

The ambassador called on the international organizations to deal with the Yemeni Central Bank.

Griffiths had briefed the UN Security Council on the situation in Yemen. During the briefing, he disclosed his intention to visit Hodeida next week.

He welcomed Yemeni President Abdrabbu Mansour Hadi’s assertion on the necessity to return to the peacemaking efforts.