Gulf-Sponsored Yemen Consultations Set to Kick Off in Riyadh

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
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Gulf-Sponsored Yemen Consultations Set to Kick Off in Riyadh

A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)
A general view of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (SPA)

The intra-Yemeni consultations are set to kick off in the Saudi-capital Riyadh on Wednesday. Various Yemeni parties and figures are set to take part, while international and United Nations officials will also attend.

The consultations are being sponsored by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and held at its Riyadh headquarters.

The United Nations and American envoys to Yemen are set to deliver opening remarks at the talks. Other speakers include the secretary-generals of the Arab League, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and GCC.

A panel discussion with the UN and US envoys will then follow.

Asharq Al-Awsat received a copy of the agenda of the consultations. The discussion will focus on the partnership between the GCC and Yemen. The day will conclude with a presentation on the arrangements for the consultations.

Thursday will witness the launch of consultations between the Yemeni parties over the main political, economic, military, social, relief and media issues at hand. The talks will run from 10 am to 3:30 pm.

Yemeni Foreign Minister Dr. Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak said the situation in Yemen demands that all sides assume their humanitarian and moral responsibility.

He urged the Iran-backed Houthi militias to "listen to the voice of reason" and engage with the consultations so that the desired peace can be achieved.

The FM met on Tuesday with UN envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg. He expressed to him the legitimate government's support to his efforts to reach a solution to the crisis.



Saudi Arabia Rejects Israel’s Plan to Capture Gaza 

A Palestinian man reacts following an Israeli strike that hit Gaza City's Thai restaurant and its vicinity on May 7, 2025. (AFP)
A Palestinian man reacts following an Israeli strike that hit Gaza City's Thai restaurant and its vicinity on May 7, 2025. (AFP)
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Saudi Arabia Rejects Israel’s Plan to Capture Gaza 

A Palestinian man reacts following an Israeli strike that hit Gaza City's Thai restaurant and its vicinity on May 7, 2025. (AFP)
A Palestinian man reacts following an Israeli strike that hit Gaza City's Thai restaurant and its vicinity on May 7, 2025. (AFP)

Saudi Arabia expressed on Wednesday its categorical rejection of Israel’s plan to seize control of the Gaza Strip, slamming its ongoing violation of international law and international humanitarian law.

In a statement, the Foreign Ministry said Saudi Arabia rejects any attempts to expand settlements in Palestinian territories, stressing that Israeli authorities must abide by international resolutions.

It reiterated the Kingdom’s support for the Palestinian cause in line with international resolutions. It renewed its backing of the 2002 Arab peace initiative and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state according to the 1967 border with east Jerusalem as its capital.

Israel has approved a plan to intensify its operations in Gaza, which would include seizing the enclave, holding on to captured territories, forcibly displacing Palestinians to southern Gaza and taking control of aid distribution along with private security companies.

Israel is also calling up tens of thousands of reserve soldiers to carry out the plan. Israel says the plan will be gradual and will not be implemented until after US President Donald Trump wraps up his visit to the region later this month.