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Head of Yemen Reconciliation Commission to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Are Keen on Peace, Stability

Head of the Consultations and Reconciliation Commission Mohammed al-Ghaithi.
Head of the Consultations and Reconciliation Commission Mohammed al-Ghaithi.
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Head of Yemen Reconciliation Commission to Asharq Al-Awsat: We Are Keen on Peace, Stability

Head of the Consultations and Reconciliation Commission Mohammed al-Ghaithi.
Head of the Consultations and Reconciliation Commission Mohammed al-Ghaithi.

Head of the Consultations and Reconciliation Commission of the Yemen Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), Mohammed al-Ghaithi revealed that the body will work on preserving the unity of all forces and political powers.

In his first remarks to the media since his appointment, he told Asharq Al-Awsat that the PLC will rely on the commission in carrying out its duties and tasks.

The PLC is keen on the participation of all sides in consultations and decision-making.

The people are hoping for real change, summed up by the liberation of the North and stability in southern provinces, binging an end to Iran's agenda in Yemen and protecting the security and peace of the region and its future, he stressed.

Moreover, he noted that even though the Iran-backed Houthi militias receive their orders from Tehran, the PLC is seeking real peace.

Ghaithi warned that if the militias choose to return to war, then they will be faced with a conflict unlike what they have seen before.

The current stage demanded that all anti-Houthi forces stand united, meaning the commission must maintain the stances of the joint forces and political groups that make them up.

This is very important, he stressed, especially since "we have shared goals in achieving peace and confronting Houthi intransigence. No one can dispute this. We all need the cooperation of all forces to stabilize the economy and achieve internal security, unite media political discourse and effectively activate state institutions."

He explained that the members and chairman of the PLC were chosen through consensus, which "gives us hope that consensus would mark this very critical phase in Yemen."

"Even though I am a member of the Southern Transitional Council (STC), which I am very proud of, today I am representing the expectations and views of all parties," he stated.

"I will be keen on consensus and rapprochement at all times," he told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Furthermore, Ghaithi said consensus does not eliminate various security, political, economic and social priorities.

For example, he explained that the case of the people of the South does not contradict the need to stand united in confronting the Houthis or reforming the economy. The southerners will determine their political future through their own will and this applies to all other parties.

The PLC is keen on the participation of all sides in the consultations and decision-making, he added. "This is an extraordinary phase and I am very optimistic."

The people have high expectations from the PLC and "we are responsible before God and history," he remarked. "The changes must be collectively introduce."

"I am speaking here of real change that can be felt by the people. This includes the liberation of the northern provinces, defeating Iran, protecting the security and future of the region and respecting the will of the people, without exception, in the South and the North," stated Ghaithi.

Turning to Saudi Arabia, he described Riyadh as a "peacemaker". The Yemeni people flocked to Riyadh for the consultations earlier this month and they returned from it united.

As a member of the STC, he stressed that "we are always keen on success and supporting the efforts of our brothers in Saudi Arabia. This is a firm principle in our policy and stances," he added.

"The Riyadh consultations have met our previous demands and it indeed reformed the presidency, tackled the economy and granted us real partnership in decision-making," he stated. "It confirmed the need for the South to decide its fate."

"Peace is our only option and the only option of our brothers in the region," he continued.

"If the Houthis decide to go back to their stalling and intransigence and reject peace, if they choose war, then the conflict will differ from its predecessors and the militias will pay a heavy price for such irrational actions," he warned.

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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

One of the UN’s top humanitarian officials in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned that the situation will worsen if the conflict continues, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He stressed that the ongoing war is placing immense strain on both the UN and the Lebanese government, as over a million people have been displaced. He said current needs exceed $400 million, but only 12% of that amount has been raised so far.

Worsening Crisis

Riza, who is the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. He described the past two weeks as “catastrophic” for civilians, with the crisis growing over the last year.

More than 600,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected, with 300,000 crossing the border, according to Riza.

Many of these people have been displaced more than once in search of safety. Riza emphasized that the war has severely impacted civilians, with more than a quarter of Lebanon's population affected.

The UN has been working to address the crisis, but Riza said resources are limited.

He stressed that the UN has been saying all year that it doesn’t have enough funds, even when there were only 110,000 displaced people.

Last week, the UN launched a $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian aid, with 12% of the funding already secured.

Riza said more support is expected, with donor countries pledging additional help.

He also expressed gratitude for contributions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which provided medical and relief supplies, and said the UN hopes to see more international assistance soon.

Working with the Government

The UN is working closely with the Lebanese government every day to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and water to those in need.

Cooperation with the government has been excellent, said Riza.

However, he acknowledged that the government’s capacity is weakened after five years of ongoing crises, which have also severely impacted the population.

People are less resilient than they were during the 2006 war, and the government and its institutions are weaker, affirmed Riza.

The UN is helping the government respond effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, so that aid reaches those who need it, he added.

The UN is also collaborating with local and international NGOs that have gained experience from Lebanon’s recent crises, helping to ensure a more effective response. Shelters are also being monitored to prevent any abuse.

A Different Reality from 2006

The current situation in Lebanon is very different from the 2006 war. Politically, the country now has a caretaker government and no president, with much less international presence.

Back then, other countries were more involved, said Riza.

The 2006 war lasted only 33 days, but this conflict has dragged on for a year, he noted.

During recent visits to southern border areas, Riza said locals were asking when the war would end, as the situation has worsened significantly in the past two weeks.

Riza noted that, in the first week of the crisis, it was extremely difficult to respond, and even now, many displaced people remain without shelter.

The UN is working with the government to provide shelter, food, and healthcare, but it’s not easy, he noted.

Displacement Crisis

With winter approaching, Riza stressed the need to properly house displaced people, saying that people can’t be left without shelter.

There are also concerns over a lack of housing, clean water, and sanitation, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite these challenges, Riza praised the close cooperation between the UN, international organizations, and partners.

Many agencies are responding, he asserted.

Riza rejected any claims of discrimination between displaced groups, noting that both Lebanese and Syrians are currently staying in UNRWA schools. He added that talks with the government about sheltering displaced Syrians have been positive.

Riza also expressed concern about the school year and children’s education.

Prolonged Conflict

The United Nations sees no immediate solution to the humanitarian and military crisis in Lebanon, with Riza stressing that the solution must be political and diplomatic, but first, a ceasefire is needed.

While there is little optimism for an end to the conflict, Riza said, the UN is encouraged by the support from its partners, which helps the organization assist the displaced.

He mentioned the recent evacuation of 1,000 people from Ain Ebel and aid distribution in Tyre, emphasizing the need to ensure that they reach those in need.

Riza called on all sides to respect international and humanitarian laws, allowing safe access for aid workers.

He condemned violations, including the deaths of firefighters, health workers, civil defense staff, and UN personnel, adding that the toll on civilian and health infrastructure is growing.