Yemeni PM Stresses Need for Competency in New Government

Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik meets with leaders of the Islah Party. (Saba)
Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik meets with leaders of the Islah Party. (Saba)
TT

Yemeni PM Stresses Need for Competency in New Government

Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik meets with leaders of the Islah Party. (Saba)
Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik meets with leaders of the Islah Party. (Saba)

Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik, who is negotiating the formation of a new government, stressed the need for the next cabinet to be a technocratic one whereby competent experts are appointed in office, official sources reported.

Sources informed on the consultations and negotiations carried out by the PM in Riyadh affirmed that there is consensus on the need to expedite the formation of a government.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat on condition of anonymity, they said Abdulmalik underscored the need to appoint competent ministers to cabinet portfolios so that they can lead the upcoming period in harmony and in a way that ensures uniting the national front and dealing with the economic, military and political situation in the country.

On Sunday, the PM discussed with leaders of the Islah Party the formation of the new government and coordinating efforts to make its work successful.

He stressed the great need to exert all efforts to complete the implementation of the mechanism that would accelerate the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement.

The PM had kicked off his consultations on Friday by meeting with the Southern Transitional Council. He met with the General People’s Congress officials on Saturday.



Israeli Military Recovers Body of a Hostage in Gaza, Is Examining Identity of a Second Body

Palestinians inspect damaged residential buildings where two Israeli hostages were reportedly held before being rescued during an operation by Israeli security forces in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Feb. 12, 2024. (AP)
Palestinians inspect damaged residential buildings where two Israeli hostages were reportedly held before being rescued during an operation by Israeli security forces in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Feb. 12, 2024. (AP)
TT

Israeli Military Recovers Body of a Hostage in Gaza, Is Examining Identity of a Second Body

Palestinians inspect damaged residential buildings where two Israeli hostages were reportedly held before being rescued during an operation by Israeli security forces in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Feb. 12, 2024. (AP)
Palestinians inspect damaged residential buildings where two Israeli hostages were reportedly held before being rescued during an operation by Israeli security forces in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, on Feb. 12, 2024. (AP)

The Israeli military said Wednesday that troops have recovered the body of a hostage held in Gaza and were examining whether another body recovered was also that of a captive.

Earlier, Israel's defense minister said that troops recovered the bodies of two hostages.

The military said the body of Yosef Al Zaydani was brought to Israel on Tuesday after being discovered in an underground tunnel near the southern Gaza city of Rafah. It said troops uncovered information about Al Zaydani's son Hamzah that "raised serious concerns for his life."

Military spokesman Col. Nadav Shoshani said the military was looking into the identity of a second set of remains recovered.

Al Zaydani and his son were taken captive during Hamas’ attack on Oct. 7, 2023, among 250 hostages snatched by the group during its cross-border raid.

Israel believes a third of the remaining 100 hostages are dead.

The body's recovery comes as Israel and Hamas are considering a ceasefire deal that would free the hostages and halt the fighting in Gaza.

However, Yosef and Hamzah Al Zaydani were believed to still be alive and their return could ramp up the pressure on Israel to move ahead on a deal.

Yosef Al Zaydani's name was on a list of 34 hostages shared by a Hamas official with The Associated Press that the group said were slated for release.

Many families of hostages say the continuation of the war in Gaza puts the lives of the remaining hostages at risk. They have demanded throughout the conflict that Israel reaches a deal with Hamas to free their loved ones.