Yemen Presents Reconstruction Plan to Arab League

Arab League head of economic relations Thamer al-Ani with the Yemeni delegation. (KUNA)
Arab League head of economic relations Thamer al-Ani with the Yemeni delegation. (KUNA)
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Yemen Presents Reconstruction Plan to Arab League

Arab League head of economic relations Thamer al-Ani with the Yemeni delegation. (KUNA)
Arab League head of economic relations Thamer al-Ani with the Yemeni delegation. (KUNA)

Yemen presented to the Arab League a comprehensive economic and social plan that includes the health, education, housing and tourism sectors in order to contribute to the Arab reconstruction and development of the country.

Arab League head of economic relations Thamer al-Ani said in a press statement at the League’s headquarters in Cairo that the plan was placed under assessment during various meetings between Yemeni representatives and the Arab bloc.

The plan is in line with the resolution issued at the fourth Arab Development Summit held in Beirut in January.

Yemen’s delegation in Cairo included Undersecretary of the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Yemen Ali Atef al-Sharafi and Ministry’s official Garam Aman.

Ani said the Yemeni delegation reviewed the plan and the economic feasibility of each project and its cost. An agreement was reached to hold a meeting for Arab funds and call on concerned Arab ministerial councils to implement the decisions of the Beirut summit.

The summit had called on member states, financial institutions, Arab funds, specialized Arab organizations and Arab and international donors to provide technical and financial support to Yemen in the areas of assistance to refugees and displaced citizens. It also called for providing assistance in the areas of training, comprehensive education and health coverage, as well as programs for employment, empowering women and rehabilitating youths and children recruited in the war.

The summit also called for the provision of humanitarian and relief assistance and their delivery to the beneficiaries.

Ani affirmed that Yemeni citizens would be at the core of the reconstruction plan, which includes efforts to improve their social and economic conditions.

He revealed that a meeting for Arab funds will be held soon to aid in the reconstruction.



US to Ease Aid Restrictions for Syria While Keeping Sanctions in Place, Sources Say

Graffiti of the Syrian revolution flag is painted on a mosaic of former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad after the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria January 2, 2025. (Reuters)
Graffiti of the Syrian revolution flag is painted on a mosaic of former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad after the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria January 2, 2025. (Reuters)
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US to Ease Aid Restrictions for Syria While Keeping Sanctions in Place, Sources Say

Graffiti of the Syrian revolution flag is painted on a mosaic of former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad after the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria January 2, 2025. (Reuters)
Graffiti of the Syrian revolution flag is painted on a mosaic of former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad after the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria January 2, 2025. (Reuters)

The US is set to imminently announce an easing of restrictions on providing humanitarian aid and other basic services such as electricity to Syria while still keeping its strict sanctions regime in place, according to people briefed on the matter.
The decision by the outgoing Biden administration will send a signal of goodwill to Syria's new rulers and aims to pave the way for improving tough living conditions in the war-ravaged country while also treading cautiously and keeping US leverage in place.
US officials have met several times with members of the ruling administration, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, since the dramatic end on Dec. 8 of more than 50 years of Assad family rule after a lightning offensive by opposition factions.
HTS, the faction that led the advance, has long-since renounced its former Al Qaeda ties and fought the group but they remain designated a terrorist entity by the US and Washington wants to see them cooperate on priorities such as counterterrorism and forming a government inclusive of all Syrians.
The Wall Street Journal reported that the Biden administration approved the easing of restrictions over the weekend, saying the move authorizes the Treasury Department to issue waivers to aid groups and companies providing essentials such as water, electricity and other humanitarian supplies.