RIYADH: The formation of a Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council has been welcomed around the world, following its announcement by President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi on Thursday.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the US welcomed the announcement of the formation of council in Yemen.
“We support Yemenis’ aspirations for an effective, democratic, and transparent government that includes diverse political and civil society voices, including women and marginalized groups,” he said.
The UN’s Stephane Dujarric said his organization took note of the decision and said it stood ready to work with it as well as the Yemeni parties to reach a lasting truce and a sustainable, negotiated settlement to the Yemeni conflict.
“We are grateful to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for its announcement of $300m commitment to UN led humanitarian response, this generous contribution will go a long way in addressing the humanitarian needs of the Yemeni people across the country,” he said.
“We also warmly welcome the announcement of $3 billion package from Saudi Arabia and the UAE to help Yemen’s economy,” he added.
The US also welcomed the announcement of the council.
“We support Yemenis’ aspirations for an effective, democratic, and transparent government that includes diverse political and civil society voices, including women and marginalized groups,” secretary of state Antony Blinken tweeted on Thursday.
Saudi Arabia pledged $3 billion worth of aid for Yemen, with the money being used to help the country’s banking system, as well as development in the country and through the purchase of oil derivatives.
The money will be broken down into $2 billion support for the Yemeni central bank, offered jointly by Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
“This support will have a major impact in stabilizing the Yemeni riyal, bringing down prices and reducing fuel shortages, all. which are major drivers of humanitarian needs.”
The European Union welcomed Hadi’s decision to transfer his powers to the council and said it appreciated the Gulf Cooperation Council for convening the intra-Yemeni talks, in support of the efforts of the UN envoy Hans Grundberg.
“This encouraging move underpins the recent, UN brokered, two-months truce between parties to the conflict, and could create further momentum for an inclusive political settlement of the conflict,” it said in a statement.
The EU also called in the Iran-backed Houthi militia, to respect the truce and engage with Grundberg without preconditions.
The EU statement also welcomed Saudi Arabia and the UAE’s announcement of substantial financial support, and the Kingdom’s announcement on fuel assistance and contributions to the UN Humanitarian Response Plan (HPP).
“After seven years of a protracted and devastating conflict, this assistance provides vital support to the people of Yemen,” it added.
The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, welcomed the decision to form the council and delegate all powers to it.
He also called on all Yemeni parties to preserve the current truce, as a first step to engaging in serious negotiations to end the suffering of the Yemeni people, and restore stability and security in the country.
The eight-member body, which will be headed by Rashad Al-Alimi, has the authority to manage the state politically, militarily and on the security front.
Nayef Al-Hajraf, the secretary-general of the Gulf Cooperation Council, affirmed the GCC’s support to the council to enable it to carry out its duties, wishing its leader Al-Alimi and its members success in their national responsibilities.
The UAE also expressed its hope “that this step would contribute to reaching a comprehensive political solution between the Yemeni parties in order to achieve peace, stability, development, and prosperity for Yemen and its people.”
The heads of the Arab Parliament and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation also issued similar statements welcoming the decision and expressing support for the body.
Meanwhile, Kuwait expressed full support for the new council and its efforts in carrying out its role in achieving its goals in Yemen, according to an official statement released via state news agency KUNA.
Jordan said it supported efforts to reach a political solution to the Yemeni crisis through the GCC initiative, the Yemeni Comprehensive National Dialogue Conference and the UN Security Council resolution No. 2216 to bring peace, safety and security in Yemen and end the suffering of its people.
Jordan also commended the economic support offered by Saudi Arabia and the UAE to aid the Yemeni economy and to finance the UN’s HPP.
Bahrain, Egypt and Djibouti also issued statements welcoming the decision to launch the council.
Russia said this important move for the Yemeni people came as a result of the political and diplomatic efforts of Saudi Arabia and the GCC to resolve the military and political crisis in Yemen.
“Moscow welcomes the establishment of a new comprehensive authority in Yemen, comprising representatives of the various social and political forces in the country. We hope that members of the Presidential Leadership Council will do everything in their power to stabilize the situation in Yemen,” the Russian foreign ministry said.
