GCC to Invite All Yemeni Sides for Extensive Talks In Riyadh

 The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council held a press conference in Riyadh on Thursday. (AFP)
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council held a press conference in Riyadh on Thursday. (AFP)
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GCC to Invite All Yemeni Sides for Extensive Talks In Riyadh

 The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council held a press conference in Riyadh on Thursday. (AFP)
The Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council held a press conference in Riyadh on Thursday. (AFP)

The Gulf Cooperation Council announced that it will host intra-Yemeni consultations at the headquarters of the General Secretariat in Riyadh, from March 29 to April 7.

GCC Secretary General Dr. Nayef Al-Hajraf told a press conference in Riyadh on Thursday that the consultations are aimed at uniting ranks, bridging the rift between the conflicting sides, supporting legitimacy and strengthening state institutions.

“Invitations to the Yemen talks will be sent to everyone and they will be held with whoever attends,” Al-Hajraf said.

“The GCC will host the talks between Yemeni factions to resolve the crisis. We urge all Yemeni parties to cease fire and start peace talks.”

The GCC secretary-general expressed hope that all parties would respond to the initiative, stressing that after seven years of conflict, resolving the crisis “is up to the Yemenis.”

Al-Hajraf said the talks would focus on six axes, starting with the military and security, which includes the general principles for a ceasefire and the fight against terrorism.

The consultations will also tackle the political process and the creation of an adequate environment to achieve a comprehensive, just and sustainable political solution, the GCC official noted.

Other axes will focus on strengthening state institutions, launching administrative reforms, and combating corruption, opening humanitarian channels, adopting urgent measures to stop the collapse of the Yemeni currency and achieve stability and recovery of basic services and direct support from donors, and finally, social recovery, which includes procedures and steps to restore social cohesion.

“We have to be optimistic and realistic; when all components agree on a future road map, then we can talk with the international community, the GCC states and the key actors in this file with a unified voice. Invitations will be sent to about 500 people from all sides,” Al-Hajraf underlined.



Saudi Leadership Congratulates King of Bahrain on National Day

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
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Saudi Leadership Congratulates King of Bahrain on National Day

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. (SPA)

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud sent on Monday a cable of congratulations to Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on his country's National Day.

He wished King Hamad continued good health and happiness, and the government and people of Bahrain further progress and prosperity.

King Salman underscored the depth of the historic relations between their countries, which, he said, the two leaders are keen to develop further.

Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, sent King Hamad a similar cable on the occasion.

King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed also sent separate cables of congratulations to Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on his country's Independence Day.