Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Yemen Hans Grundberg is expected to present his monthly briefing to the Security Council on the situation in the war-torn country on Wednesday as peace efforts have stalled due to the intransigence of the Iran-backed Houthi militias.
The Houthis have repeated their threats that they may reignite the war, while the Presidential Leadership Council has reiterated its commitment to the three references that would help end the conflict.
The Council has urged greater pressure from the international community on the Houthis to make them accept comprehensive peace proposals.
Grundberg had concluded a two-day visit to the Saudi capital last week where he met with Council Chairman Dr. Rashad al-Alimi.
They discussed ongoing mediation efforts to agree on measures to improve living conditions, implement a nationwide ceasefire, and resume an inclusive Yemeni-owned political process under UN auspices to reach a sustainable political settlement, said a statement from the envoy’s office.
The envoy also met with Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik and Foreign Minister Ahmed bin Mubarak. Grundberg stressed the need for addressing immediate priorities and launching a political process to achieve lasting peace.
Grundberg met with Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohamed Al Jaber to explore ways to enhance cooperation between regional and international stakeholders to support Yemen’s progress towards a political solution.
The envoy later visited the Omani capital, Muscat, for talks with Undersecretary for Political Affairs at the Omani Foreign Ministry, Khalifa Al Harthy, and other senior Omani officials. Discussions focused on ways to provide concerted support to the parties in Yemen towards resuming an inclusive political process under UN auspices, said the envoy’s office on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, US Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking kicked off on Monday a new tour of the Gulf “to advance ongoing UN-led efforts to expand the truce and launch a comprehensive peace process.”
Two informed sources in the Yemeni government cast their doubt that the UN and US efforts would achieve a breakthrough given the Houthis’ unyielding positions and rejection of all UN proposals.
In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat, they expected the Houthis to maintain their stances as part of their extortion of the international community and UN in humanitarian files, in spite of the concessions offered by the Presidential Leadership Council, Yemeni government and international community.
