Implementation of Riyadh Agreement in Yemen, Saudi Diplomacy Receive Wide Praise

Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman during a meeting last November (Saba News Agency)
Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman during a meeting last November (Saba News Agency)
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Implementation of Riyadh Agreement in Yemen, Saudi Diplomacy Receive Wide Praise

Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman during a meeting last November (Saba News Agency)
Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman during a meeting last November (Saba News Agency)

Yemen’s formation of a power-sharing government, in accordance with the terms of the Riyadh Agreement jointly signed with the Southern Transitional Council (STC) in November last year, has received international and Arab and Gulf welcome.

Each of the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait have welcomed the implementation of the deal on Saturday and praised Saudi Arabia’s efforts.

Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al Jaber confirmed that the new cabinet will arrive in the interim Yemeni capital, Aden, within 10 days.

Speaking to Al Arabiya, the diplomat said that the government will be transferred after logistic arrangements are completed.

Jaber accredited the formation of a new Yemeni governments to parties coming together and fulfilling their share of obligations laid out by the Riyadh Agreement.

The coming phase for Yemenis is both fresh and promising, he added.

Jaber also reiterated his country’s commitment to achieving stability in Yemen, asserting that the Kingdom will continue to back peacemaking efforts there.

Noting that formation talks had spanned for 50 days, Jaber said that Saudi sponsorship and the Riyadh Agreement will guarantee the return of government to Aden.

The new cabinet was “an important step for enhanced stability, improvement of state institutions and increased political partnership. It is also a pivotal step toward a lasting political resolution to the conflict,” said Martin Griffiths, the UN secretary-general’s special envoy to Yemen.

Adel bin Abdulrahman Al-Assoumi, chairman of the Arab Parliament, said the formation of the new government would help restore security, stability and unity, activate state institutions, enable the implementation of development projects in liberated areas, and alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people.

Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Dr. Nayef Mubarak Al-Hajraf praised Yemeni parties for prioritizing the interests of the people, supporting the new government and playing a role in ending the Yemeni crisis. He also thanked the Arab Coalition for supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government.

The UAE said it hoped this development would lead to a political solution to the crisis. Bahrain called it an important step in strengthening and unifying Yemeni efforts to confront the Iran-backed Houthi militias and achieve security, peace and stability for the Yemeni people.

The new government, announced by President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi on Yemeni state TV late on Friday, consists of 24 portfolios divided equally between the north and south.

The United Kingdom, which has been heavily involved in the political process in Yemen, also welcomed the formation of the new government and thanked Saudi Arabia’s efforts.

“This is an important step towards the implementation of the Riyadh agreement between the government of Yemen and the Southern Transitional Council, and another step towards peace that the Yemenis desperately need,” British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said.



Namirah Mosque Ready for Hajj’s Arafat Day with Major Upgrades

Significant development projects have been implemented to improve the comfort of pilgrims at the mosque. (SPA)
Significant development projects have been implemented to improve the comfort of pilgrims at the mosque. (SPA)
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Namirah Mosque Ready for Hajj’s Arafat Day with Major Upgrades

Significant development projects have been implemented to improve the comfort of pilgrims at the mosque. (SPA)
Significant development projects have been implemented to improve the comfort of pilgrims at the mosque. (SPA)

The Saudi Ministry of Islamic Affairs, Dawah and Guidance has completed extensive preparations at Namirah Mosque in Arafat, ensuring it is fully ready to welcome Hajj pilgrims on the day of Arafat, which falls on Thursday. The mosque has been furnished with 125,000 square meters of luxurious carpets.

Significant development projects have been implemented to improve the comfort of pilgrims. The backyard now features 19 canopies that reduce heat stress by an average of 10 degrees Celsius, complemented by sun-reflecting floor paint. The surrounding courtyards are also prepared and cooled with 117 fog fans, lowering temperatures by an average of 9 degrees Celsius.

A major ventilation and air conditioning upgrade includes a new control system that monitors carbon dioxide levels and operates air purification units, allowing for 100% air renewal every 30 minutes. This system also controls water pumps, boosting operational efficiency and providing a healthier environment for pilgrims.

For hydration, 70 water chillers have been installed, each capable of serving 2,000 pilgrims per hour, totaling a capacity of 140,000 pilgrims per hour.

An advanced audio system and security surveillance cameras have also been integrated to boost safety and security.

Furthermore, the mosque's 72 gates and entrances have been strategically organized to ensure a smooth flow of pilgrims.

These extensive tasks were carried out by dedicated supervisory and service teams committed to providing the best services to pilgrims.