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. 



Qatar to Reopen Its Embassy in Syria on Tuesday

 A child holding the flag adopted by the new Syrian rulers is held up, as people celebrate after fighters of the ruling Syrian body ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in the Damascus old city, Syria, December 13, 2024. (Reuters)
A child holding the flag adopted by the new Syrian rulers is held up, as people celebrate after fighters of the ruling Syrian body ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in the Damascus old city, Syria, December 13, 2024. (Reuters)
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Qatar to Reopen Its Embassy in Syria on Tuesday

 A child holding the flag adopted by the new Syrian rulers is held up, as people celebrate after fighters of the ruling Syrian body ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in the Damascus old city, Syria, December 13, 2024. (Reuters)
A child holding the flag adopted by the new Syrian rulers is held up, as people celebrate after fighters of the ruling Syrian body ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in the Damascus old city, Syria, December 13, 2024. (Reuters)

Qatar will reopen its embassy in Syria on Tuesday after it was closed for more than 13 years, the Gulf country's foreign ministry said on Sunday, a week after Bashar al-Assad was removed from power.

Qatar's embassy in Damascus has been shut since July 2011 when it withdrew its ambassador from Damascus after a series of deadly crackdowns by Assad's regime on protesters - violence that led to the 13-year-long civil war.

Doha in recent years did not join efforts by several Arab countries to mend relations with Assad's government and re-establish diplomatic relations with Damascus.

A lightning advance by the opposition, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group led to the ouster of Assad on Dec. 8.

Qatar's foreign ministry said in a statement its decision to reopen the embassy reflects its support for the Syrian people and their "struggle to attain their legitimate rights for a dignified life".