Yemeni Legitimacy Backs UN Efforts to Restore Stability

Vice President Ali Mohsen Saleh al-Ahmar speaks to journalists in Sanaa, Yemen, Oct. 10, 2011. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)
Vice President Ali Mohsen Saleh al-Ahmar speaks to journalists in Sanaa, Yemen, Oct. 10, 2011. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)
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Yemeni Legitimacy Backs UN Efforts to Restore Stability

Vice President Ali Mohsen Saleh al-Ahmar speaks to journalists in Sanaa, Yemen, Oct. 10, 2011. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)
Vice President Ali Mohsen Saleh al-Ahmar speaks to journalists in Sanaa, Yemen, Oct. 10, 2011. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed)

Vice President Ali Mohsen Saleh al-Ahmar has affirmed that the legitimacy in Yemen, led by President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, backs the UN efforts to reach a sustainable peace that ends Houthi militias coup, based on the three agreed upon references.

Ahmar’s statements were made as he met UN chief Antonio Guterres in Madrid to discuss UN efforts and updates, on the sidelines of the 2019 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Official sources revealed that Ahmar briefed Guterres on the updates in Yemen and the efforts exerted by the government and the countries of the Saudi-led Arab coalition to establish peace in Yemen despite Houthi violations and disrespect for agreements.

Saba News Agency noted that the Ahmar informed Guterres that the legitimacy supports the UN peace efforts made by UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths, based on the three references represented by the Gulf initiative, its executive mechanism, outcomes of the national dialogue, and relevant UN resolutions, mainly resolution 2216.

Ahmar highlighted the humanitarian suffering of Yemenis, saying that the situation is deteriorating because of the Houthis criminal violations and continuous offensives as well as the threat for international security and peace.

For his part, Guterres renewed keenness on achieving permanent peace in Yemen and ending the agony.

On his Twitter account, Griffiths tweeted: “In another meeting today, Griffiths met with Amb. Sheikh Ahmed Nasser Al-Sabah where they discussed the prospects of peace in Yemen. Griffiths further expressed his appreciation of Kuwait's role as a peace advocate in the region.”



Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat: Hezbollah Tasking Me to Hold Political Negotiations Is Nothing New

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah during a dialogue meeting in 2006. (AFP)
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah during a dialogue meeting in 2006. (AFP)
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Berri to Asharq Al-Awsat: Hezbollah Tasking Me to Hold Political Negotiations Is Nothing New

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah during a dialogue meeting in 2006. (AFP)
Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri and slain Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah during a dialogue meeting in 2006. (AFP)

Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri said on Wednesday that no positive progress has been made to stop the Israeli war on Lebanon, a reference to American officials “who say they support an end to the war, but do nothing to do so.”

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, he added that Hezbollah’s tasking him to hold political negotiations “is nothing new and doesn’t change anything.”

Hezbollah’s deputy leader Naim Qassem had said on Monday that Berri has been tasked with the negotiations.

“I was in charge of political negotiations during the 2006 war and I am doing the same thing today,” he went on to say, while dismissing claims that he had rejected such a mission.

The speaker noted that with Hezbollah officials being targeted by Israel, he has gained a greater responsibility in the negotiations.

Moreover, he said that Lebanon is still committed to the principles that were approved during his meeting with caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and Druze leader Walid Jumblatt.

On international stances on ceasefire efforts, he remarked: “The French and the British are still with us.”

“As for the Americans, they say they are with us, but do nothing to stop the aggression,” stressed Berri.

He added that attention will be shifted to the United Nations Security Council meeting on Thursday and whether it will issue anything related to Lebanon. The conflict will definitely be on the table, he stated.

The meeting will indicate which path the political course is taking, he explained.

Meanwhile, Mikati said Arab and international efforts were still ongoing to stop the Israeli attack on Lebanon, but “Israel remains intransigent and is forging ahead to claim what it believes are victories and gains.”

In a statement from his office, Mikati dismissed concerns that diplomatic efforts to end the conflict have ceased, stressing: “We continue to hold the necessary contacts.”

“Lebanon’s Arab and international friends are also exerting pressure to reach a ceasefire so that the main political steps can be discussed, most notably the full implementation of Security Council resolution 1701 and forcing Israel to abide by it,” he added.