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Yemeni FM: Lebanon’s Vowed Measures against Houthi Channels Remain Mere Ink on Paper

Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmed bin Mubarak, Asharq Al-Awsat
Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmed bin Mubarak, Asharq Al-Awsat
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Yemeni FM: Lebanon’s Vowed Measures against Houthi Channels Remain Mere Ink on Paper

Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmed bin Mubarak, Asharq Al-Awsat
Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmed bin Mubarak, Asharq Al-Awsat

Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmed bin Mubarak has heavily criticized Lebanon-based Hezbollah’s interference in the Yemeni crisis and demanded that the country take effective measures to shut-down Houthi satellite channels broadcasting from Beirut’s southern suburbs.

“Lebanon has announced a policy of disassociation towards the Yemeni crisis. But, so far, we have witnessed direct intervention that goes beyond statements and speeches,” the top Yemeni diplomat told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Bin Mubarak criticized Lebanon for not curbing Hezbollah’s sending of fighters to Yemen, training of Houthis, transferring technology to militants and hosting Yemeni insurgency satellite channels.

“All of these factors offend the historical link between Yemen and Lebanon,” said bin Mubarak, blaming Hezbollah for threatening Yemeni-Lebanese ties with desperate actions it is taking to transform the country into a hub for blatant intervention in the internal affairs of other Arab nations.

“We only want Lebanon to be within its Arab environment,” affirmed bin Mubarak, stating that Yemen supports any move taken to restore Lebanon to the Arab world.

Moreover, bin Mubarak displayed great diplomacy when talking about the Lebanese interior minister’s February pledge to investigate the operations of Houthi channels in Lebanon.

Interior Minister Bassam Mawlawi had promised the Yemeni government to investigate and take measures against channels broadcasting illegally from Lebanon.

“These promises remained mere ink on paper without any efforts being exerted to fulfill them,” said bin Mubarak.

“We are waiting for action,” added the minister, warning that the presence of channels that incite violence and recruit youth could harm Lebanon’s relations not only with Yemen, but also with its Arab surrounding.

Reminding that Houthis continue to recruit child soldiers, bin Mubarak slammed Houthi-linked channels broadcasting from Lebanon as a tool for perpetuating the war in Yemen.

“Therefore, we look closely at this issue and believe that our brothers in Lebanon, officially and popularly, reject this type of incitement emanating from Beirut, which has always served as an umbrella for all Arabs,” he said.

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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
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FAO Official: Gulf States Shielded Themselves from Major Shocks

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

David Laborde, Director of the Agrifood Economics Division at the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), told Asharq al-Awsat that global hunger increased sharply during the coronavirus pandemic, noting that the GCC countries were able to shield themselves from major shocks affecting food security.
Laborde added that global hunger affected over 152 million people, with no improvement in the past two years.
Today, 733 million people suffer from chronic hunger, and 2.3 billion face food insecurity, according to the UN annual report on “The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World.”

Laborde explained that the global economic crisis has worsened food insecurity, keeping hunger levels high.
Alongside this, climate shocks and conflicts are major causes of hunger. He also pointed out that food insecurity is closely tied to inequality, and the economic crisis, rising living costs, and high interest rates are deepening existing inequalities both within and between countries.
On whether economic diversification in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries is boosting food security, Laborde said: “A move towards a more diversified economy and enhancing the ability to rely on various sources of food supplies are key drivers of food security resilience and stability.”
“GCC countries have managed to shield themselves from major shocks, primarily due to their high income levels and ability to cover import costs without difficulty,” he explained.
Regarding the FAO’s outlook on reducing global hunger, Laborde insisted that ending hunger will require a significant increase in funding.
When asked for suggestions on how governments could enhance food security, Laborde said: “Despite global figures remaining stable, improvements are seen in Asia and Latin America, showing that the right policies and conditions can reduce numbers.”
“Hunger is not inevitable. Investing in social safety nets to protect the poor, along with making structural changes to food systems to be more environmentally friendly, resilient, and equitable, is the right path forward,” emphasized Laborde.
The annual State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World report, published on Wednesday, said about 733 million people faced hunger in 2023 – one in 11 people globally and one in five in Africa.
Hunger and food insecurity present critical challenges affecting millions globally.
The annual report, released this year during the G20 Global Alliance for Hunger and Poverty Task Force ministerial meeting in Brazil, warns that the world is significantly lagging in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 2—ending hunger by 2030.
It highlights that global progress has regressed by 15 years, with malnutrition levels comparable to those seen in 2008-2009.
Despite some progress in areas like stunting and exclusive breastfeeding, a troubling number of people still face food insecurity and malnutrition, with global hunger levels rising.