Saudi-led peace efforts in Yemen revolve around the first peace roadmap after the Yemeni legitimacy and Houthis made their amendments and observations, announced a senior Yemeni source on Thursday.
The source confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council reviewed the peace roadmap draft about a month ago and made some amendments to it.
He added that discussions addressed the roadmap presented to Saudi officials last Ramadan, noting that they introduced it a month ago to the Council which rejected the submitted formula. The draft was later amended.
When asked about an imminent agreement, a Gulf source familiar with the deliberations said something still needed to be done.
According to the Yemeni source, Houthis responded with the amendments they accepted regarding the tax and customs mechanism in Hodeidah port and salaries disbursement following the peace roadmap's first version.
On Tuesday, Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak met with the UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg and discussed the recent peace efforts.
Meanwhile, the US State Department announced that the Special Envoy for Yemen, Tim Lenderking, is traveling to the Gulf this week to advance ongoing UN-led peace efforts in Yemen and support regional coordination to reach a durable end to the conflict.
The source reported that the Leadership Council will meet on Wednesday or Thursday to discuss the Houthi response and the ideas proposed to move forward in the peace process.
Last October, Vice Chairman of the Council Major General Faraj al-Bahsani clarified that the Oman and Saudi-led peace efforts continue in full swing, indicating that the roadmap enjoys regional and international support.
Bahsani revealed that the Leadership Council approved the names of the negotiating delegation that will meet with the Houthis in any future talks, expressing his optimism for achieving progress in the peace process.
The basic peace roadmap includes changing the Yemeni government or making a ministerial reshuffle as agreed upon, according to the source.
Asked whether a peace agreement and a long-term truce will be announced, the source said it depends on the discussions and the Houthi response regarding the peace roadmap and its provisions.
He added: "The matter depends on the upcoming meetings and the Houthis' response...
The state is ready and has submitted its observations on the presented formula, said the source, indicating that he believes Houthis would not agree to everything proposed and could make concessions on some issues and reject others.
The source noted that the two parties will sign a deal if all matters are agreed upon. However, it could take some time.
Most Presidential Leadership Council members have already arrived in Riyadh for the meeting.
Observers believe the recent calls by US Senators to reclassify the Houthis as a terrorist group may put pressure on it.
Last September, a Houthi delegation visited Riyadh and held five-day discussions with an Omani delegation.
The head of the Houthi delegation, Mohammad Abdulsalam, told Asharq Al-Awsat that they are working on achieving peace as the first option.
Saudi Arabia confirmed that it had invited a Sanaa delegation for a visit to complete the meetings and discussions based on the Saudi initiative announced in March 2021.
The visit also highlights Saudi and Omani efforts to reach a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire in Yemen and a sustainable political solution acceptable to all Yemeni parties.
