President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi reiterated the total rejection of Tehran-backed Houthi militias importing the Iranian experience into Yemen, stressing instead the need to strengthen national unity and move forward with implementing the Riyadh Agreement.
Hadi also called on authorities to take necessary measures to save the war-torn country’s deteriorating economy.
The president made his statements at a national defense meeting he chaired in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Vice President Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, parliament Speaker Sultan al-Burkani, Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik and Shura Council Speaker Ahmed Obaid bin Daghr attended the meeting.
Hadi reviewed various issues that included field, political and economic developments.
He talked about regional and international peace efforts and renewed the official state’s desire to find a permanent and sustainable solution to the crisis.
The meeting was held a time when the Houthis are waging an intense military offensive against the northeastern governorate of Marib, where over a million internally displaced refugees have sought asylum from war.
More so, the internationally recognized Yemeni government continues to suffer from unresolved disputes with the Southern Transitional Council (STC), a matter which has delayed its return to the interim capital, Aden.
Government officials fear for their safety back in Aden, given that some security and military stipulations of the Riyadh Agreement have not been implemented yet.
The Riyadh Agreement was signed between the internationally-recognized Yemeni government and the STC in the Saudi capital in December 2019 and called for the formation of a new government, disarmament of militia groups, the demilitarization of Aden, and improving the economy.
While the international community hopes that newly appointed UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg will achieve a breakthrough in finding a settlement for the embattled country, Houthi leaders have announced their conditions for a truce remain unchanged and called for more recruitment of militants.
Against all international hopes of a solution for the crisis, Houthis leaders have expressed determination to “purge” state institutions in Houthi-run territory from any opposition to the Iran-backed insurgency’s rule.
