Yemen Consultations Begin Drafting Roadmap to Bolster State Institutions

GCC Ambassador to Yemen Sarhan Al-Minaikher speaks at a press conference on Tuesday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
GCC Ambassador to Yemen Sarhan Al-Minaikher speaks at a press conference on Tuesday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Yemen Consultations Begin Drafting Roadmap to Bolster State Institutions

GCC Ambassador to Yemen Sarhan Al-Minaikher speaks at a press conference on Tuesday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)
GCC Ambassador to Yemen Sarhan Al-Minaikher speaks at a press conference on Tuesday. (Asharq Al-Awsat)

After six days of discussions in Riyadh, gatherers at the intra-Yemeni consultations began drafting solutions and a roadmap that would address the challenges confronting their country's security and stability.

The Gulf Cooperation Council is sponsoring the talks that kicked off last week.

GCC Ambassador to Yemen Sarhan Al-Minaikher said consensus has prevailed throughout the talks.

Speaking at a press conference at the conclusion of Tuesday's talks, he stressed that "everyone, without exception, is in agreement on the need to lead their country to stability and prosperity."

"We are celebrating the success of the talks," he declared.

"Everyone is optimistic. The Yemeni people are pinning their hopes on their representatives at these consultations," he added. "They have started to draft a roadmap that would lead Yemen to safety and prosperity."

Yemen will find the needed support from its brothers at the GCC, stressed the ambassador.

In recent days, the gatherers tackled the challenges and obstacles facing their country. On Monday they met with the government. Everyone, without exception, is keen on dedicating themselves in service of the citizen inside and outside Yemen, continued Al-Minaikher.

They are determined to bolster state institutions and enable them to serve the people, he stressed.

He reiterated that the solution to Yemen's problems lies in the hands of Yemenis themselves. The GCC will not oppose any agreement they reach.

He said the gatherers are holding open and expanded meetings with the government to address all pressing issues.

They started to draft solutions on Tuesday. The consultations are set to conclude on Thursday.

Al-Minaikher also reiterated that the consultations are not a substitute to UN negotiations or the Gulf initiative. Rather, the consultations are a path that boosts the chances of peace and the UN negotiations.

Lutfi Numan, a participant at the talks, spoke of a "more realistic approach" being adopted in addressing the performance of the legitimate government, underscoring the need to reform it.

This is an issue that enjoyed consensus at the consultations, he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

The gatherers discussed the relationship between the various components of the legitimate authority, including between the legitimacy and member states of the Saudi-led Arab coalition. They also tackled the fight against the Iran-backed Houthi militias.

On whether he believes the consultations will be a success, he remarked that whenever Yemenis come together, they appear united, but when they depart, "they return to battle."

Another participant, Abdulkarim Saeed, attended the discussions on security and the fight against terrorism.

He revealed that security challenges in all provinces were on the table. The gatherers met with the prime minister and members of government to exchange views and ideas.

Tuesday's discussions covered security solutions and recommendations that will be adopted by the consultations, he added. The government will be responsible for applying them, as well as uniting national ranks.

Discussions also covered the possibility of merging various military formations with the several security agencies active in liberated regions, he added.



Diplomatic Source: Germany Not Asked to Join Lebanon-Israel Monitoring Team

The German warship participating in UNIFIL fired missiles during exercises near Crete last month (dpa file photo)
The German warship participating in UNIFIL fired missiles during exercises near Crete last month (dpa file photo)
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Diplomatic Source: Germany Not Asked to Join Lebanon-Israel Monitoring Team

The German warship participating in UNIFIL fired missiles during exercises near Crete last month (dpa file photo)
The German warship participating in UNIFIL fired missiles during exercises near Crete last month (dpa file photo)

A Western diplomatic source told Asharq Al-Awsat that Germany has not been asked to join a proposed committee to monitor the implementation of UN Resolution 1701 if a ceasefire is reached between Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Israel.

This clarification removes a potential obstacle to the US-brokered proposal, which Washington discussed with Lebanese officials after receiving their feedback.

The proposal suggests replacing the current monitoring mechanism—a military committee led by UNIFIL and involving Lebanese and Israeli army representatives—with a five-member committee including the US, France, Britain, Germany, and an Arab state.

Hezbollah opposes the inclusion of Germany and Britain.

The source confirmed that the nature of the proposed committee—whether military or civilian—has not been decided and depends on ongoing negotiations.

They also noted that Germany has no direct contact with Hezbollah, which it considers a terrorist organization.

Lebanese negotiators proposed expanding the existing tripartite committee to include the US and France, inspired by the April 1996 Understanding.

While Hezbollah objects to Britain and Germany, it appears to accept US involvement, likely due to Washington's influence over Israel and its mediating role in the talks.

Four European countries play key roles in UNIFIL operations in Lebanon. Germany leads the naval task force, Spain oversees the eastern sector, Italy manages the western sector, and France handles patrols in the operational area.

Since 2006, Germany has led UNIFIL’s Maritime Task Force, tasked with protecting Lebanon’s waters, preventing arms smuggling, and training the Lebanese Navy. It often heads the force, which includes countries like Türkiye and Greece, thanks to its expertise and resources.