Qatar Fails in Mediating between Houthis, Saleh

A supporter of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh is seen with his weapon outside of al-Saleh mosque in Sana’a, Yemen December 1, 2017. (Reuters)
A supporter of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh is seen with his weapon outside of al-Saleh mosque in Sana’a, Yemen December 1, 2017. (Reuters)
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Qatar Fails in Mediating between Houthis, Saleh

A supporter of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh is seen with his weapon outside of al-Saleh mosque in Sana’a, Yemen December 1, 2017. (Reuters)
A supporter of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh is seen with his weapon outside of al-Saleh mosque in Sana’a, Yemen December 1, 2017. (Reuters)

Qatar tried to support the Houthi militants in their latest dispute with former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, but the latter has rejected Doha’s intervention and mediation.

Informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Qatar tried to slow down any Saleh action by proposing a mediation with the Houthis.

Sources close to the former president revealed to Asharq Al-Awsat that he rejected the suggestion.

Saleh had on Saturday announced that he was opening a new chapter with the Saudi-led Arab coalition to restore legitimacy in Yemen, thereby ending his alliance with the Houthis.

Clashes have been raging in the capital Sana’a between the Houthis and Saleh supporters since Wednesday.

Member of Saleh’s National People's Congress Dr. Adel Shujaa told Asharq Al-Awsat that the office of the Qatari Foreign Ministry had contacted Saleh’s bureau to propose a mediation in order to ease the tensions with the Houthis.

Saleh refused however to allow the Congress to fall in Qatar’s hands.

Shujaa added that Doha has in the meantime contacted former Foreign Minister Abu Bakr al-Qarbi, saying it wanted to host him for talks on a possible mediation between the Congress and Houthis. Saleh had also rejected this suggested and this reply was relayed by Qarbi to Doha.

Shujaa explained that the Congress is aware that the Qataris are now seeking temporary allies due to the crisis Doha is experiencing with a number of countries.

Yemeni Foreign Ministry Undersecretary Dr. Mansour Bjash told Asharq Al-Awsat that Qatar abandoned the Arab coalition and it now has ties with Iran. It therefore is seeking a reconciliation that would form a policy that adheres to it and follows its agenda.



UN Welcomes Formation of Committees to Address Libya’s Security Concerns

Men gather in Tripoli's Martyrs Square on June 5, 2025 on the second day of Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of sacrifice. (Photo by Mahmud Turkia / AFP)
Men gather in Tripoli's Martyrs Square on June 5, 2025 on the second day of Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of sacrifice. (Photo by Mahmud Turkia / AFP)
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UN Welcomes Formation of Committees to Address Libya’s Security Concerns

Men gather in Tripoli's Martyrs Square on June 5, 2025 on the second day of Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of sacrifice. (Photo by Mahmud Turkia / AFP)
Men gather in Tripoli's Martyrs Square on June 5, 2025 on the second day of Eid al-Adha, or the Feast of sacrifice. (Photo by Mahmud Turkia / AFP)

The United Nations Support Mission in Libya has welcomed the establishment by the Presidency Council of two committees to address security and rights concerns.

“UNSMIL welcomes the establishment by the Presidency Council of two committees, composed of key parties, to address security and human rights concerns,” it said in a statement on Saturday.

“These efforts are aimed at strengthening security arrangements to prevent the outbreak of fighting and ensure the protection of civilians, as well as addressing human rights concerns in detention facilities, including widespread arbitrary detention,” it said.

“The Mission is committed to providing technical support to the committees, in line with international standards and its mandate,” the statement added.

UNSMIL stressed that the committees come at a “crucial moment when Libyans are demanding meaningful reform, accountable and democratic state institutions.”