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. 



Saudi Defense Minister Meets with King of Jordan

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz greeting King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan - SPA
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz greeting King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan - SPA
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Saudi Defense Minister Meets with King of Jordan

Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz greeting King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan - SPA
Saudi Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz greeting King Abdullah II bin Al Hussein of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan - SPA

Upon the directives of the Saudi leadership, Minister of Defense Prince Khalid bin Salman bin Abdulaziz met on Sunday with Jordan's King Abdullah II.

During the meeting, Prince Khalid conveyed the greetings of Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, along with their wishes for further progress and prosperity to the King, government, and people of Jordan.

For his part, King Abdullah sent his greetings and appreciation to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and the Crown Prince.
According to SPA, the discussions focused on the close relations between the two countries and explored ways to enhance regional security and stability and addressed issues of common interest.
The meeting was attended by Saudi Ambassador to Jordan Naif bin Bandar Al-Sudairi, Director General of the Defense Minister’s Office Hisham bin Abdulaziz bin Saif, and several senior Jordanian officials.