Saudi, Gulf Anticipation for Finding Comprehensive Solution to Yemeni Crisis

Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohamed Al Jaber meeting with the UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg when he was still the European Union’s ambassador to the war-torn country (Twitter)
Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohamed Al Jaber meeting with the UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg when he was still the European Union’s ambassador to the war-torn country (Twitter)
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Saudi, Gulf Anticipation for Finding Comprehensive Solution to Yemeni Crisis

Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohamed Al Jaber meeting with the UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg when he was still the European Union’s ambassador to the war-torn country (Twitter)
Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohamed Al Jaber meeting with the UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg when he was still the European Union’s ambassador to the war-torn country (Twitter)

Saudi Arabia and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have expressed their anticipation of working with the newly appointed UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg to find a comprehensive solution for the Yemeni crisis.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said the Kingdom would stand by the new UN envoy and backed all peace efforts to end the war.

“The Kingdom will continue to support all efforts to reach a political solution that helps bring peace and prosperity to Yemen,” Prince Faisal said on Twitter.

GCC Secretary-General Nayef Al-Hajraf reaffirmed that the bloc is ready to work with the UN’s new envoy to Yemen in finding a political solution to end the conflict in the country.

The secretary-general stressed the role of the UN envoy to Yemen in supporting regional and international efforts to reach the political solution sought by the Council, per the Gulf initiative and its executive mechanism; the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference and Security Council Resolution 2216.

He also expressed his best wishes for the new envoy, saying he is looking forward to working with him to continue the international community’s efforts to find a comprehensive solution to the Yemeni crisis and achieve security and stability in the region.

On Friday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres named the Swedish diplomat Grundberg as his special envoy for Yemen, succeeding Martin Griffiths, a Briton.

For its part, the UAE also welcomed Grundberg’s appointment and reiterated its support for all efforts to find a peaceful solution towards ending the Yemeni crisis.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation praised the pivotal role of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to bring about stability in Yemen. It also reaffirmed support for efforts made by the Kingdom to enhance peace and stability in Yemen and the region at large.

As part of the country’s policy to support the interests of the region’s peoples, the Ministry renewed the UAE’s commitment to standing by the brotherly people of Yemen and supporting their legitimate aspirations for development and prosperity.



Qatar’s Chief Negotiator Says ‘Frustrated’ by Pace of Gaza Talks

The al-Atal family's tent is seen after it was struck overnight in an Israeli airstrike that killed several family members, in the Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza City, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP)
The al-Atal family's tent is seen after it was struck overnight in an Israeli airstrike that killed several family members, in the Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza City, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP)
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Qatar’s Chief Negotiator Says ‘Frustrated’ by Pace of Gaza Talks

The al-Atal family's tent is seen after it was struck overnight in an Israeli airstrike that killed several family members, in the Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza City, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP)
The al-Atal family's tent is seen after it was struck overnight in an Israeli airstrike that killed several family members, in the Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza City, Thursday, April 17, 2025. (AP)

Qatar's chief negotiator voiced frustration over talks for a truce in Gaza in an interview with AFP, a month after Israel resumed its strikes on the Palestinian territory and another round of negotiations ended without a deal.

"We're definitely frustrated by the slowness, sometimes, of the process in the negotiation. This is an urgent matter. There are lives at stake here if this military operation continues day by day," Mohammed Al-Khulaifi said on Friday.

Qatar, with the United States and Egypt, brokered a truce in Gaza between Israel and Hamas which came into force on January 19 and largely halted over a year of war triggered by Palestinian gunmen’s October 7, 2023, attack on Israel.

The initial phase of the truce ended in early March, with the two sides unable to agree on the next steps.

Hamas has insisted that negotiations be held for a second phase to the truce, leading to a permanent end to the war, as outlined in the January framework.

Israel, which had called for an extension to the opening phase, resumed air and ground attacks across the Gaza Strip on March 18 after earlier halting the entry of aid.

Late on Thursday, Hamas signaled the group would not accept Israel's newest proposal for a 45-day ceasefire. Israel had wanted the release of 10 living hostages held by Hamas, the group said.

"We've been working continuously in the last days to try to bring the parties together and revive the agreement that has been endorsed by the two sides," the Qatari minister of state said.

"And we will remain committed to this, in spite of the difficulties," he added.