UNITED NATIONS/ RIYADH/MANAMA — Secretary General António Guterres of the United Nations hailed the announcement by the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen of a comprehensive ceasefire in Yemen for two weeks, effective Thursday.

In a statement issued by his office, Guterres said " I welcome the announcement by the “Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen” of a ceasefire in Yemen. This can help to advance efforts towards peace as well as the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Now, I call upon the government of Yemen and Houthis to follow through on their commitment to immediately cease hostilities. I also call on the government and the Houthis to engage with each other, in good faith and without preconditions, in negotiations facilitated by my Special Envoy Martin Griffiths."

"Only through dialogue, the parties will be able to agree on a mechanism for sustaining a nationwide ceasefire, humanitarian and economic confidence-building measures to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people, and the resumption of the political process to reach a comprehensive settlement to end the conflict," he said.

In Riyadh, Yemeni Prime Minister Dr. Ma'een Abdulmalik affirmed that the two-week ceasefire is a great opportunity to safeguard Yemen and its people from dangers of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

In comments on Twitter Thursday, Abdulmalik also thanked Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman and Crown Prince Muhammad Bin Salman, deputy premier and minister of defense, for their generous support for the relief efforts in Yemen.

He also lauded Prince Khalid Bin Salman, deputy minister of defense, for launching the ceasefire initiative, which reflects his support of Yemen and its people.

Meanwhile, Yemeni Vice President Lt. Gen. Ali Mohsen Saleh, in Aden, affirmed his country's firm stance in support of the United Nations' efforts to achieve peace in Yemen.

During a virtual meeting with Griffiths, the vice president said that the legitimate government supports the efforts to resume the political process according to the three references. He also hailed the ceasefire attained under the leadership of Saudi Arabia.

In Manama, the kingdom of Bahrain welcomed the unilateral comprehensive ceasefire. The Bahraini Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said in a statement, it commends the decision as brave and expressing a noble humanitarian stance that considers the urgent international circumstances imposed by the spread of the Coronavirus in the countries of the region and the world at large.

It also hailed it as responding to the concerns on life and safety of Yemeni people and their highest interests, and indicative of a sincere desire to spare the brotherly Yemeni people the consequences of this pandemic.

The Bahraini Ministry also hailed the generous support announced by the government of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman to help the Yemeni people overcome the economic circumstances, meet their living needs and alleviate their sufferings.

The ministry expressed its hope that the Houthi group will respond to this wise humanitarian initiative that would open the way to a comprehensive and sustainable ceasefire in all Yemeni territories and paving the way for resumption of political negotiations to reach a comprehensive and lasting political solution to the crisis.

In Moroni, the government of the Republic of Comoros too hailed the ceasefire. In a statement, the Comorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs affirmed its country's steadfast stance to support the comprehensive peace process in the region and the efforts of the United Nations and the Security Council, adding that the Comorian government calls on all parties to prevail the supreme interests of the people and stop bloodshed. — SPA