JEDDAH -- Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir highlighted the fact that a key meeting here focused on the importance of reaching a quick solution in Yemen based on the three references: the GCC-sponsored initiative, the outputs of the Yemeni National Dialogue and the Security Council resolution 2216.
He was referring to the joint meeting here on Thursday of the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, with the US Secretary of State John Kerry and the British Minister of State for Middle East Affairs Tobias Elwood, in the presence United Nations secretary-general’s envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed.
During a joint news conference with the US Secretary of State, here Thursday, Al-Jubeir indicated that the meeting stressed the importance of providing support for the efforts of Ould Cheikh Ahmed and urged Yemeni parties to return to the negotiating table, to reach an agreement that would bring peace, security and stability in Yemen.
"During the meeting today with the envoy of the Secretary General of the United Nations to the Republic of Yemen, we have discussed ideas which express the desire of coalition countries, in reaching a peaceful solution, in Yemen,” he said, adding that "We also discussed ideas to refute the arguments of the Houthi militia and Saleh to derail the consultations.”
He stated that the GCC ministers believe that there is no argument for any party to say that the proposed formula now is incomplete, and Houthis and Saleh must seize the opportunity to reach a peaceful solution.
Kerry said on Thursday that there is a “new plan” aimed at ending conflict in Yemen, which will see participation of the Iran-backed Houthi militia group in a unity government. Dubbing the plan as having a “fair and sensible approach,” Kerry told reporters during a joint press conference with his Saudi counterpart that Houthis’ participation in a future unity government will be in exchange for ending violence, laying down of arms and transferring of heavy weapons to a third party.
He also criticized the international response to the crisis in Yemen and pledged $189 million in a new US aid for the humanitarian crisis marring the country, considered the poorest in the Middle East.
Kerry urged for a solution for Yemen as soon as possible but said such a resolution should be reached with respect to Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty. He said Saudi Arabia has the right for self-defense in the backdrop of missiles being launched by the Iran-backed militias into the Kingdom’s territories.
Al-Jubeir, meanwhile, said following discussions with Kerry that a “road map” was envisaged for the UN envoy for Yemen to use when resuming talks with the Yemeni warring sides.
“The meeting discussed as well everything related to the final solution, which will be discussed by the UN envoy with the Yemeni parties, we offer full support for the efforts of the envoy, and we expressed our hope for the resumption of the Yemeni parties of negotiations and reach to a peaceful solution and the meeting expressed outright rejection of the unilaterally taken steps by Houthis and Saleh,” Al-Jubeir emphasized.
Al-Jubeir announced that the meeting also discussed the issue of the deterioration of the Yemeni institutions, especially, financial institutions, noting that there was a meeting in Riyadh two days ago with specialists in this field to consider how to protect financial institutions and stem the deterioration due to the actions of Houthis and Saleh.
He added that Saudi Arabia is the first country to provide humanitarian aid to Yemen, in line with King Salman Center and through direct support, we are very keen to offer all possible humanitarian assistance to our brothers, in Yemen.
"We demand the rebels to break the siege of Yemeni cities and allow introduction of assistance to the needy, in Yemen,” Al-Jubeir said, expressing hope that there will be a response to the will of the international community in resolving the crisis in Yemen, and calling on all Yemeni parties to peacefully respond to the UN envoy and to work with him to bring Yemen out of the current crisis and to focus instead on rebuilding it,” he said.
