Riyadh Talks: Ideas, Options for Yemeni Peace Map Development

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman meeting with the Sanaa delegation in Riyadh (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman meeting with the Sanaa delegation in Riyadh (SPA)
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Riyadh Talks: Ideas, Options for Yemeni Peace Map Development

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman meeting with the Sanaa delegation in Riyadh (SPA)
Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman meeting with the Sanaa delegation in Riyadh (SPA)

During a span of four days, the Saudi communication and coordination team, in collaboration with a delegation from the Sultanate of Oman, engaged in extensive discussions with the visiting Houthi delegation in Riyadh to tackle matters related to Yemen.

Saudi Arabia had invited the Sanaa delegation to visit Riyadh to discuss the Yemeni peace plan.

Without disclosing details, the Saudi Foreign Ministry welcomed the outcomes of these deliberations, describing them in a statement as “positive” steps toward the creation of a roadmap to support the Yemeni peace process.

The ministry further clarified that the meeting of the Saudi team headed by Ambassador Mohammed bin Saeed Al Jaber, who had visited Sanaa last April, had yielded results.

Among the key outcomes were “the formulation of numerous ideas and options for the development of a roadmap agreeable to all Yemeni parties.”

Headed by Mohammed Abdulsalam Felitah, the Houthi delegation from Sanaa met with Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman.

During the meeting, Prince Khalid asserted the Kingdom’s commitment to reaching a political solution in Yemen.

“We look forward to the earnest discussions achieving their objectives and the Yemeni parties uniting under a common vision,” the minister said on Wednesday.

“This should take place within a framework of lasting political stability and security, aligning with the broader developmental progress of the Gulf region,” he added in a post on X.

The Houthi delegation arrived in Saudi Arabia last week. It was the first official visit to the Kingdom since the war broke out in Yemen in 2014 after the Iran-aligned group ousted the government there.

London, as expressed by its Foreign Secretary James Cleverly in an interview with Al-Arabiya, welcomed the meetings in Riyadh.

Charles Harper, who is currently serving as the Chargé d'Affaires of the British Embassy in Yemen, emphasized the significance of Saudi Arabia hosting a Houthi delegation in Riyadh.

In statements made to Asharq Al-Awsat, Harper underscored the importance of making progress in the comprehensive intra-Yemeni dialogue process under the auspices of the UN.

Observers note that Saudi Arabia aims for Yemenis to prioritize prosperity, stability, and development, resolving disputes through dialogue rather than armed conflict.



Mohamed bin Zayed, European Council President Discuss Strengthening Ties and Regional Developments

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meets with Charles Michel, President of the European Council, in Abu Dhabi. WAM
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meets with Charles Michel, President of the European Council, in Abu Dhabi. WAM
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Mohamed bin Zayed, European Council President Discuss Strengthening Ties and Regional Developments

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meets with Charles Michel, President of the European Council, in Abu Dhabi. WAM
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan meets with Charles Michel, President of the European Council, in Abu Dhabi. WAM

UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Charles Michel, President of the European Council, have discussed ways to develop and expand relations to serve the common interests of all sides and foster growth and prosperity.

During Friday’s meeting, which took place at Qasr Al Shati in Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed emphasized the deep ties between the UAE and the European Union, as well as the ongoing commitment to strengthening these relations to support their shared goals and promote peace and development at both the regional and global levels.

The meeting also touched upon the upcoming Gulf Cooperation Council-European Union summit scheduled for October in Brussels. The UAE President and Michel emphasized the significance of the summit in advancing relations, especially in economic and developmental areas, and setting the stage for further progress in the years ahead.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and the European Council President also reviewed several regional and international issues of mutual concern, particularly developments in the Middle East. They underscored the importance of reaching an urgent ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip to allow for adequate humanitarian aid to alleviate the suffering of its residents. They also stressed the need to de-escalate tensions in the West Bank and to push for a permanent and stable peace process based on the two-state solution.

Both sides emphasized the seriousness of escalating tensions in the region and the critical need for international efforts to contain and prevent the expansion of conflicts, which pose a threat to regional security and stability.

Sheikh Mohamed reiterated the UAE’s support for all efforts aimed at bringing an end to the conflict in Gaza and fostering stability and peace in the region. He also highlighted the UAE's commitment to cooperating with the European Union and other concerned parties to enhance the humanitarian response to the worsening situation in Gaza and support regional stability.

Charles Michel praised the UAE's position in support of Gulf-European cooperation and its influential humanitarian role in Gaza. He also commended the UAE’s contributions to peace and stability in the Middle East.