Yemeni Diplomatic Push in New York Seeks Crucial Peace Support

Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) President Rashad al-Alimi receives UAE Foreign Minister in New York (SABA)
Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) President Rashad al-Alimi receives UAE Foreign Minister in New York (SABA)
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Yemeni Diplomatic Push in New York Seeks Crucial Peace Support

Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) President Rashad al-Alimi receives UAE Foreign Minister in New York (SABA)
Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) President Rashad al-Alimi receives UAE Foreign Minister in New York (SABA)

At the UN General Assembly in New York, Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) President Rashad al-Alimi highlighted his country’s crisis, rallying global backing to pressure Houthi insurgents for a durable, comprehensive peace.

Alimi continued his meetings in New York, which included discussions with the Secretary-General of the Arab League, the UAE Foreign Minister, and UN officials, as reported by Yemeni official sources.

During his meeting with Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Secretary-General of the Arab League, Alimi discussed the Yemeni situation and the mediation efforts by Saudi Arabia and Oman to renew the ceasefire and launch a comprehensive political process under UN guidance.

PLC Vice President Aidarous al-Zubaidi attended the meeting with Aboul Gheit.

Additionally, Alimi met with Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE Minister of Foreign Affairs, and updated him on the Yemeni situation and the prospects for achieving a fair and comprehensive peace based on agreed-upon national, regional, and international frameworks.

Alimi also had discussions with Achim Steiner, the Administrator of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

In those discussions, Alimi focused on various UN development interventions and coordinated efforts with the international community to secure additional funding for more sustainable and effective programs in Yemen.

Alimi also praised the UN’s shift from relief to sustainable development and shared his observations regarding certain UN interventions, including the necessity to halt support directed towards the Houthis in the field of mine clearance.

In other news, Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmed bin Mubarak emphasized that the food security crisis in his country is a direct result of the nearly nine-year-long war waged by the Houthis.

He pointed out that understanding the root causes of this crisis and the deterioration of essential services in the country are crucial elements in finding a solution.



US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
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US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)

The United States is deferring the removal of certain Lebanese citizens from the country, President Joe Biden said on Friday, citing humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon amid tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

The deferred designation, which lasts 18 months, allows Lebanese citizens to remain in the country with the right to work, according to a memorandum Biden sent to the Department of Homeland Security.

"Humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon have significantly deteriorated due to tensions between Hezbollah and Israel," Biden said in the memo.

"While I remain focused on de-escalating the situation and improving humanitarian conditions, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Lebanese nationals who are present in the United States."

Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire since Hezbollah announced a "support front" with Palestinians shortly after its ally Hamas attacked southern Israeli border communities on Oct. 7, triggering Israel's military assault in Gaza.

The fighting in Lebanon has killed more than 100 civilians and more than 300 Hezbollah fighters, according to a Reuters tally, and led to levels of destruction in Lebanese border towns and villages not seen since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.

On the Israeli side, 10 Israeli civilians, a foreign agricultural worker and 20 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Tens of thousands have been evacuated from both sides of the border.