US Ambassador in Yemen Voices Concern to Asharq Al-Awsat over Sana’a Unrest

Smoke rises during the battle between former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh's supporters and the Houthi militias in Sana’a, Yemen December 2, 2017. (Reuters)
Smoke rises during the battle between former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh's supporters and the Houthi militias in Sana’a, Yemen December 2, 2017. (Reuters)
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US Ambassador in Yemen Voices Concern to Asharq Al-Awsat over Sana’a Unrest

Smoke rises during the battle between former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh's supporters and the Houthi militias in Sana’a, Yemen December 2, 2017. (Reuters)
Smoke rises during the battle between former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh's supporters and the Houthi militias in Sana’a, Yemen December 2, 2017. (Reuters)

US Ambassador to Yemen Matthew Tueller welcomed on Saturday calls for reaching a peaceful resolution to the country’s conflict, while voicing concern over the fighting in the capital Sana’a.

He told Asharq Al-Awsat that Washington was very concerned with the reports on the unrest in Sana’a and the possibility of the fall of civilian casualties.

He therefore urged calm and welcomed the calls for a peaceful resolution.

Fighting as been raging in Sana’a between once allies the Houthi militias and supporters of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The violence in the capital and the desperate humanitarian situation confirm the need for an immediate halt in fighting and for all sides to make concessions to end the war, added Tueller.

In wake of the clashes in Sana’a, Saleh announced on Saturday his readiness to open a new chapter of ties with the Saudi-led Arab coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen, thereby ending his alliance with the Houthis.

He said in a televised address that Yemen has had enough violence, calling on all the people to defend the revolt against forces that have for three years wreaked havoc in the country.

He also called on the armed forces to ignore the commands of the Houthis militias.



Lebanon Joins Middle East Green Initiative

 Prime Minister Najib Mikati sits between Agriculture Minister Abbas Hajj Hassan and Environment Minister Nasser Yassin during the announcement (Office of the Prime Minister)
 Prime Minister Najib Mikati sits between Agriculture Minister Abbas Hajj Hassan and Environment Minister Nasser Yassin during the announcement (Office of the Prime Minister)
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Lebanon Joins Middle East Green Initiative

 Prime Minister Najib Mikati sits between Agriculture Minister Abbas Hajj Hassan and Environment Minister Nasser Yassin during the announcement (Office of the Prime Minister)
 Prime Minister Najib Mikati sits between Agriculture Minister Abbas Hajj Hassan and Environment Minister Nasser Yassin during the announcement (Office of the Prime Minister)

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister announced that the country has joined the Middle East Green Initiative, launched by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to mitigate the impact of climate change on the region.

“This is an essential step for Lebanon, especially since our southern villages and towns have been exposed to significant environmental and agricultural damage due to Israeli attacks, which requires cooperation with all of Lebanon's friends,” a statement released by the Lebanese Council of Ministers quoted Mikati as saying.

Agriculture Minister Abbas Hajj Hassan welcomed Lebanon’s participation in the initiative, confirming that a high committee has been established to ensure the project’s sustainability and facilitate relevant cooperation.

He noted that the timing of the announcement “comes in light of the continued Israeli attacks on Lebanon, and this matter must be drawn to attention, especially since Israel is destroying very large areas, whether agricultural lands, fruit trees or forests.”

Environment Minister Nasser Yassin said that the Middle East Green Initiative has very important goals to plant 40 billion trees across the region and protect the Gulf and the Middle East from climate change, stop land degradation and desertification and find the means to adapt to future challenges.

The Lebanese Ministry of Agriculture estimates that more than 2.8 million square meters of forest and agricultural land were completely burned, while about 6.7 million square meters of agricultural and forest land were partially damaged as a result of Israel’s attacks and its use of internationally-banned incendiary munitions.