UAE foreign minister: UAE fully supports Saudi initiative

UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sheik Abdallah ben Zayed Al Nahyane expressed his country’s support for the Saudi initiative announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Monday to reach a comprehensive political solution in Yemen.

Sheik Abdallah ben Zayed Al Nahyane said the UAE fully supports this initiative, which is a valuable opportunity for a comprehensive ceasefire in Yemen and paving the way for a lasting political solution.

The UAE’s foreign minister called on the international community to join efforts to ensure all parties adhere to the initiative and a ceasefire, the official WAM agency reported Monday.

He praised Saudi Arabia’s pivotal role in implementing the Riyadh agreement, forming the new Yemeni government, reaching a political solution and accelerating efforts to end the Yemeni crisis.

The initiative must be met, he said, and Yemeni forces must unite and cooperate with each other, and the national interest must prevail.

Sheik Abdallah ben Zayed Al Nahyane affirmed the UAE’s full commitment to stand by the Yemeni people and support their legitimate aspirations for development, prosperity, peace and stability.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan on Monday announced an initiative to end the crisis in Yemen, which has entered its seventh year.

“There is no indication yet of the Houthis’ desire for peace,” he added.

The Saudi foreign minister continued: “The Kingdom is coordinating with the United Nations to put an end to the crisis in Yemen. We will continue to support the Yemeni people and their legitimate government.”

Prince Faisal bin Farhan said that Iran’s interference is affecting the situation in Yemen, noting that the kingdom maintains its right to defend itself in Yemen.

The initiative includes opening Sanaa airport to direct regional and international flights, allowing the import of fuel and food, and initiating consultations between Yemeni parties to reach a political solution to the Yemeni crisis under the auspices of the UN, based on the terms of UN Security Council Resolution 2216, the Gulf initiative and its implementing mechanisms and the outputs of the national dialog, he said.

Faisal bin Farhan said Saudi Arabia calls on the Yemeni government and the Houthis to accept the initiative, as it gives the Houthis the opportunity to judge their minds, stop bloodshed, address the difficult humanitarian and economic conditions facing the Yemeni people, and to be partners in achieving peace.”