Grundberg Urges Houthis to Prioritize Interests of Yemeni People

UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. Photo: UN
UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. Photo: UN
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Grundberg Urges Houthis to Prioritize Interests of Yemeni People

UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. Photo: UN
UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. Photo: UN

UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg has urged Yemen’s Houthi militias to prioritize the interests of the Yemeni people and called for the unconditional release of detained UN personnel.

Grundberg concluded a visit to Muscat, where he held meetings with senior Omani officials, his office said in a statement on Wednesday.

During the meetings, Grundberg expressed appreciation for the Omani role in advancing UN efforts toward peace and stability in Yemen.

Grundberg also met with Mohammed Abdulsalam, chief negotiator and spokesperson of the Houthis, emphasizing the urgent need for broader de-escalation across Yemen.

“The Special Envoy stressed the importance of prioritizing the interests of the Yemeni people and called for constructive dialogue,” said the statement.

Throughout all his meetings, the Special Envoy reiterated the UN chief’s “urgent call for the immediate and unconditional release of detained UN personnel,” it added.

Last week, the Special Envoy met with Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohamed Al Jaber in Riyadh.

The talks focused on de-escalation efforts in Yemen amid regional tensions.

Grundberg also met with the P5 members of the UN Security Council. He underscored the critical need for a unified approach to support efforts toward a political process and a ceasefire in Yemen.

The Special Envoy emphasized the importance of sustained advocacy for releasing detained UN personnel.



Libya Central Bank Governor, Other Bankers Flee to Avoid Militias

A picture shows a view of Libya's Central Bank headquarters in Tripoli on August 27, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
A picture shows a view of Libya's Central Bank headquarters in Tripoli on August 27, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
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Libya Central Bank Governor, Other Bankers Flee to Avoid Militias

A picture shows a view of Libya's Central Bank headquarters in Tripoli on August 27, 2024. (Photo by AFP)
A picture shows a view of Libya's Central Bank headquarters in Tripoli on August 27, 2024. (Photo by AFP)

Libya's central bank governor Sadiq al-Kabir said he and other senior bank staff had been forced to leave the country to "protect out lives" from potential attacks by armed militia, the Financial Times reported on Friday.
"Militias are threatening and terrifying bank staff and are sometimes abducting their children and relatives to force them to go to work," Kabir told the newspaper via telephone.
He also said attempts by interim Prime Minister Abdulhamid al-Dbeibah to replace him were illegal, and contravened UN negotiated accords on control of the central bank.
The crisis over the control of the Central Bank of Libya creates yet another level of instability in the oil producing country.
The UN Support Mission in Libya early this week called for the suspension of unilateral decisions, the lifting of force majeure on oil fields, the halting of escalations and use of force, and the protection of central bank employees.