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Senior US Delegation Looks into Bolstering Mideast Peace Talks

Jared Kushner in the White House on Aug. 11. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press)
Jared Kushner in the White House on Aug. 11. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press)
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Senior US Delegation Looks into Bolstering Mideast Peace Talks

Jared Kushner in the White House on Aug. 11. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press)
Jared Kushner in the White House on Aug. 11. (Pablo Martinez Monsivais / Associated Press)

Ramallah, London – US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor, Jared Kushner, arrived in Israel on Wednesday evening as part of a Middle East tour aimed at exploring ways to advance Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. He is scheduled to meet with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah on Thursday, following talks with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Kushner, heading a senior US delegation that included Special Envoy Jason Greenblatt, kicked off his Middle East tour in Jordan on Sunday and visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt and Israel.

Kushner met with the Deputy Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, Prince Mohammed bin Salman, on Tuesday in Jeddah, in the presence of the US delegation and Saudi officials.

The two sides affirmed their commitment to strengthening their close ties and cooperation and agreed to support efforts to achieve a true and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians and to consolidate security, stability and prosperity in the Middle East.

They also stressed their common priority to cut all forms of support for terrorists and extremists.

The US delegation then headed to Doha, where talks with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani focused on the importance of combatting terrorism and extremism and strengthening cooperation between Doha and Washington.

In Jordan, the meeting with King Abdullah II was dedicated to “efforts to revive the peace process and relaunch serious and effective negotiations between the Palestinians and the Israelis based on the two-state solution as the only way to end the conflict,” according to a statement issued by the Royal Jordanian Court.

The US is seeking to forge a regional peace agreement, which is a point of deep disagreement between Palestinians and Americans, Palestinian sources with knowledge of the matter told Asharq al-Awsat.

According to those sources, US officials are trying to engage the Palestinians into comprehensive understandings, rather than dealing separately with the Palestinian Cause.

“They have not presented a clear vision for peace, and they do not have a well-defined plan of action yet,” the sources added.

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Al-Alimi to UN Envoy: Houthis Not a Reliable Peace Partner

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)
Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)
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Al-Alimi to UN Envoy: Houthis Not a Reliable Peace Partner

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)
Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)

UN envoy Hans Grundberg is working to address the Yemeni crisis, but Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), has questioned the Houthi militias’ trustworthiness for peace.

During Grundberg’s visit to Aden, the interim capital, Al-Alimi told him that the Houthis may not be a reliable partner. Grundberg had called for “constructive dialogue” to ease tensions.

Yemen’s state media reported that Al-Alimi received an update on Grundberg’s recent talks and his focus on reducing tensions and restarting the peace process, which has been disrupted by “Houthi terrorist groups supported by Iran.”

Grundberg thanked Yemen’s PLC and government for their work to reduce tensions and prevent a return to widespread conflict, according to SABA News Agency.

On his part, al-Alimi reaffirmed support for the UN’s efforts to restart a political process based on a Saudi roadmap.

He also supported UN efforts to address the worsening humanitarian situation caused by Houthi attacks on oil facilities and shipping lanes, which he said are backed by Iran.

Al-Alimi stressed the need for continued local, regional, and international attention on Houthi actions, including human rights abuses and measures against Yemenia Airways that worsen humanitarian conditions and damage the airline’s reputation.

The Houthi group, backed by Iran, is holding four Yemenia Airways planes in Sanaa and blocking the airline from accessing around $120 million in its bank accounts.

The PLC chief said a recent failed Houthi attack on the Safir oil facility in Marib shows the Houthis are not a reliable partner for peace. He accused them of prioritizing their supporters’ interests over Yemen’s needs.

Al-Alimi stressed the need for international unity and listening to Yemenis’ calls for stability and peace, in line with UN resolutions, especially UNSC Resolution 2216.

Grundberg, who has not reported progress on economic issues between the Yemeni government and the Houthis, urged for constructive dialogue to reduce tensions. His office stated that he and Al-Alimi discussed the urgent need for a broader dialogue to ease tensions across Yemen.

Grundberg has expressed concern over UN staff held by the Houthis and renewed the UN Secretary-General’s call for their immediate release.

The UN diplomat ended his visit to Muscat, where he met with Omani officials and Houthi negotiator Mohammad Abdelsalam. He stressed the urgent need for de-escalation in Yemen and urged the Houthis to prioritize the well-being of the Yemeni people.

Grundberg also called for the immediate release of the detained UN staff during his meetings. Before Muscat, he discussed de-escalation efforts with Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammad Al Jaber in Riyadh.

In Riyadh, Grundberg met with the ambassadors of the five permanent UN Security Council members, highlighting the need for a unified approach to support peace talks and a ceasefire in Yemen.