Saudi Arabia, UAE welcome response for southern Yemen dialogue

Fighters of the Southern Transitional Council, which seeks independence for south Yemen, sit with a southern separatist flag at the back of a pickup in Aden on August 29, 2019. (AFP)
  • Saudi Arabia, UAE working in close coordination with various parties to implement a cease-fire

DUBAI: Saudi Arabia and UAE have welcomed the response by the Legitimate Government of Yemen and the Southern Transitional Council, on the Kingdom’s call for dialogue, saying it was “a major and positive step” towards ending the recent crisis in the governorates of Aden, Abyan and Shabwa.

The two countries said it was important to continue working under “this positive environment and in a spirit of brotherhood” to renounce division, UAE state news agency WAM reported.

In a joint statement, the governments of both countries said that they have been working in close coordination with various parties to implement a cease-fire.

They also said they have been preparing for a constructive dialogue to end the dispute and address its effects, as part of their responsibilities being in the Coalition Supporting the Legitimate Government in Yemen, and in continuation of their political and military efforts to contain the crisis.

This statement follows a previous one issued on August 26, 2019 pertaining to the events that took place in Yemen’s interim capital of Aden.

Meanwhile, the UAE Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dr. Anwar Gargash on Monday tweeted in Arabic that “the joint messages from Saudi Arabia and the UAE on the developments in Yemen are an affirmation of the strategic partnership that unites us.”

 

They also called for an immediate end to all military operations as well as violations against any public and private property, the need to stop media propaganda, and for parties to take responsibility to overcome the crisis, as well as prioritize the interests of the Yemeni people who seek security, stability and unity, WAM reported.

Furthermore, they called for the clashing parties to work seriously with the Joint Committee formed by the Kingdom and the UAE, to monitor and stabilize the cessation of military activities or any others affecting public order.

The two governments went on to reaffirm their continued support for the Legitimate Government of Yemen in its efforts to preserve the Yemeni state, defeat the Houthi militia, terrorist organizations operating in Yemen and Iran’s expansion scheme.

Concluding the statement, the UAE and Saudi Arabia declared that they will continue providing humanitarian assistance to the country’s liberated governorates.