GCC Welcomes Latest Commitment to a Ceasefire in Yemen

A boat sails in the Arabian Sea near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, in the port city of Aden, Yemen, 21 December 2023. (EPA)
A boat sails in the Arabian Sea near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, in the port city of Aden, Yemen, 21 December 2023. (EPA)
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GCC Welcomes Latest Commitment to a Ceasefire in Yemen

A boat sails in the Arabian Sea near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, in the port city of Aden, Yemen, 21 December 2023. (EPA)
A boat sails in the Arabian Sea near the Bab al-Mandab Strait, in the port city of Aden, Yemen, 21 December 2023. (EPA)

Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi welcomed on Sunday the legitimate Yemeni government and Iran-aligned Houthi militias recently announced commitment to take steps towards a ceasefire.

UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg made the announcement on Saturday.

“The Special Envoy will now engage with the parties to establish a roadmap under UN auspices that includes these commitments and supports their implementation,” said his office in a statement.

“The UN roadmap will include, among other elements, the parties’ commitment to implement a nationwide ceasefire, pay all public sector salaries, resume oil exports, open roads in Taiz and other parts of Yemen, and further ease restrictions on Sanaa Airport and the Hodeidah port. The roadmap will also establish implementation mechanisms and prepare for a Yemeni-owned political process under UN auspices,” continued the statement.

Albudaiwi hoped these measures will help reach a comprehensive political solution to Yemen that would bring prosperity, security and stability to the people.

He stressed the need to continue making efforts to support the efforts of the Yemeni people to reach a roadmap for the future to restore the country's stability, development and prosperity in order to achieve the aspirations of the people.

He expressed gratitude for the great and valuable efforts made by the United Nations, Saudi Arabia and Oman, which helped in securing these crucial measures on time. 



Kuwait Appoints Four Women as Public Prosecution Directors for 1st Time

Attorney General Saad Al-Safran promotes four women to senior roles in the general and specialized prosecution offices (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Attorney General Saad Al-Safran promotes four women to senior roles in the general and specialized prosecution offices (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Kuwait Appoints Four Women as Public Prosecution Directors for 1st Time

Attorney General Saad Al-Safran promotes four women to senior roles in the general and specialized prosecution offices (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Attorney General Saad Al-Safran promotes four women to senior roles in the general and specialized prosecution offices (Asharq Al-Awsat)

In a historic first for Kuwait, the Attorney General appointed four women to lead prosecution departments on Sunday.

Attorney General Saad Al-Safran reshuffled several positions, promoting four women to senior roles in the general and specialized prosecution offices, including the complaints office.

This is the first time women have held such positions.

The newly appointed directors are Munira Al-Wuqayan (media prosecution), Noura Al-Othman (Farwaniya prosecution), Ghanima Al-Sarrawi (Hawally prosecution), and Nouf Al-Saeed (juvenile prosecution).

Kuwaiti women gained voting rights in 2005, and in the same year, the country appointed its first female minister, Dr. Maasouma Al-Mubarak.

In 2020, women also became judges for the first time, despite initial public debate.

Eight women were sworn in as judges after an agreement between the Ministry of Justice and the Supreme Judicial Council, supported by a legal ruling from the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs.

This followed the acceptance of 20 women into the Public Prosecution six years earlier.