Saudi Gazette report

RIYADH — Saudi Arabia has provided the Yemeni government and the Southern Transitional Council with a mechanism to accelerate work in implementing the Riyadh Agreement, the Saudi Press Agency reported early Wednesday citing an official Saudi source.

The mechanism presented by Saudi Arabia stipulates that the STC abandon its self-rule and appoint a governor for Aden, the formation of a new government that will equally represent the north and the south of Yemen, and tasking the Yemeni premier with forming a government within 30 days.

The efforts to bring the two parties to agree to the mechanism were carried out with the active participation of the United Arab Emirates.

Both parties have responded and expressed their agreement to this mechanism and agreed to start work on it, according to the source.

The source added that Saudi Arabia appreciates the positive response of the Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and the delegations of the Yemeni government and the Southern Transitional Council.

The source confirmed the continued support of the Kingdom-led coalition for the legitimate Yemeni government and the continued efforts of the United Nations to reach a comprehensive political solution to the Yemeni crisis in accordance with the three references and in accordance with what the Yemeni people agree upon.

In response to a mechanism presented by Saudi Arabia to accelerate the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement, the STC announced its abandonment of self-rule in the southern Yemen.

The STC affirmed its support for the coalition's efforts in implementing the Riyadh Agreement.

“We affirm the deepening of our partnership with the coalition to fight Iranian interference and terrorist groups, secure shipping lines — the Gulf of Aden and Bab Al-Mandab — prevent smuggling and export chaos across the country,” the STC said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid Bin Salman commenting on the development in a series of tweets.

He said: “The Crown Prince's efforts have succeeded in bringing together the Yemeni government and the Southern Transitional Council in accepting the proposed mechanism by the Kingdom to implement the Riyadh agreement, and achieve lasting peace, security, and prosperity for Yemen.”

Prince Khalid also commended the Yemeni president and the STC leadership for their support to Saudi efforts.

“I salute the Yemeni President, the Yemeni government and the STC, who expressed their support for KSA's efforts to accelerate the Riyadh agreement. I am optimistic and confident about its implementation, and parties coming together to put the Yemeni people's interest first,” the Saudi deputy defense minister said.

He added: “The consent of the Yemeni parties to accelerate the implementation of the agreement reflects the serious desire for dialogue, solving disputes, acceptance of the other, the pursuit of political partnership, and supporting paths of a comprehensive political solution to end the crisis.”

“A major goal of the coalition to support the legitimate Yemeni gov. is the security, stability, and return of Yemen as an active member in its Gulf and Arab world. The Riyadh Agreement is a key factor in reaching this, in addition to supporting the efforts of UN envoy to Yemen,” Prince Khalid stressed.

Expressing satisfaction over the outcome of the extensive talks among all sides to the conflict, Prince Khalid tweeted saying: KSA's efforts in bringing together Yemeni political leaders and their points of view closer, and reaching consensus on the mechanism for implementing the Riyadh Agreement shows the possibility of resolving Yemeni differences through dialogue without the use military force.”

Later, Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan also expressed his views on the development on Twitter.

“The agreement by the Legitimate Yemeni Government and the Southern Transitional Council to accelerate the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement is a positive step towards reaching a holistic and sustainable political solution in Yemen under the auspices of the UN, Prince Farhan tweeted.

He added: “This will strengthen trust between parties, allow the government to conduct its affairs in Aden, and activate key institutions that will serve the Yemeni people.”