Yemeni FM, Swedish Counterpart Concede to ‘Ceasefire’ Significance for Humanitarian Relief

Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Lindea, Saba News Agency
Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Lindea, Saba News Agency
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Yemeni FM, Swedish Counterpart Concede to ‘Ceasefire’ Significance for Humanitarian Relief

Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Lindea, Saba News Agency
Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Lindea, Saba News Agency

Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmed Mubarak and his Swedish counterpart Ann Lindea agreed on prioritizing the implementation of a ceasefire as a critical measure to advance humanitarian assistance efforts in the embattled country.

This followed serious warnings from Washington against the devastating impact of the protracted crisis in Yemen and the severe repercussions of insurgency-led offensives in the northeastern governorate of Marib.

Houthi militias, backed by Iran, have waged a military campaign against oil-rich Marib, where over a million internally displaced Yemenis have sought refuge from ongoing violence.

According to Lindea and Mubarak, humanitarian relief is vital despite the intricacy of warring rivalries in Yemen.

Lindea, after a quick visit to the eastern governorate of Hadhramaut, landed in the Omani capital, Muscat, where she labeled an armistice in Yemen as the “most valuable humanitarian measure.”

“In Muscat, I met Houthi chief negotiator Mohammed Abdulsalam, talked about the humanitarian situation, ceasefire, political process. A ceasefire is the most important humanitarian measure,” tweeted Lindea.

“Parties should engage with UN without preconditions.”

“The war must end,” she reaffirmed.

During her trip to the eastern Yemeni region, the top Swedish diplomat met with Hadhramaut Governor Major General Faraj Al-Bahsani.

The two reviewed the current situation in southern Yemen and the importance of completing the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement as part of the comprehensive peace process.

They also discussed the role played by local authorities in achieving both security and stability.

Lindea confirmed Sweden’s commitment to helping Yemenis achieve peace, produce a clear vision for political and security realities, boost women engagement in activities across various fields.



Lebanon Calls for Negotiations Following US Strikes on Iran

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun
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Lebanon Calls for Negotiations Following US Strikes on Iran

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun

Following American strikes on Iran that fueled fears of a wider conflict, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Sunday that the US bombing could lead to a regional conflict that no country could bear and called for negotiations.

“Lebanon, its leadership, parties, and people, are aware today, more than ever before, that it has paid a heavy price for the wars that erupted on its land and in the region,” Aoun said in a statement on X. “It is unwilling to pay more”, he added.

Iran and Israel traded air and missile strikes as the world braced on Monday for Tehran's response to the US attack on its nuclear sites and US President Donald Trump raised the idea of regime change in Iran. Iran vowed to defend itself on Sunday, a day after the US joined Israel in the biggest Western military action against the country since its 1979 Iranian Revolution, despite calls for restraint and a return to diplomacy from around the world.

Lebanon’s Hezbollah group has long been considered Iran’s first line of defense in case of a war with Israel. But since Israel launched its massive barrage against Iran, triggering the ongoing Israel-Iran war, the Lebanese group has stayed out of the fray — even after the US entered the conflict Sunday with strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

Lebanese government officials have pressed the group to stay out of the conflict, saying that Lebanon cannot handle another damaging war, and US envoy Tom Barrack, who visited Lebanon last week, said it would be a “very bad decision” for Hezbollah to get involved.