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Yemen’s Alimi in Germany to Pressure Houthis, Garner Support

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomes Rashad al-Alimi, chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, in the courtyard of the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, September 13, 2022. (Reuters)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomes Rashad al-Alimi, chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, in the courtyard of the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, September 13, 2022. (Reuters)
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Yemen’s Alimi in Germany to Pressure Houthis, Garner Support

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomes Rashad al-Alimi, chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, in the courtyard of the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, September 13, 2022. (Reuters)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomes Rashad al-Alimi, chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, in the courtyard of the Chancellery in Berlin, Germany, September 13, 2022. (Reuters)

Chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad al-Alimi traveled to Germany on Tuesday on an official visit aimed at intensifying pressure on the Iran-backed Houthi militias to accept peace.

He is also seeking to garner support for Yemen’s economy and development, official sources said on Tuesday.

Alimi’s visit will last several days and he is later expected to travel to the United States to attend the United Nations General Assembly.

In Germany, he met with Chancellor Olaf Scholz and is set to hold talks with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and several officials.

They will tackle the latest developments in Yemen and regional and international efforts to resolve its conflict. They will address humanitarian efforts, peace and stability in Yemen.

Alimi hailed the unique ties that bind Yemen and Germany and Berlin’s support to the legitimate forces in the country, the Saba state news agency quoted him as saying.

He said he was confident his visit will pave the way for broader cooperation with Germany in terms of the development and reconstruction of Yemen.

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Syria Unable to Import Wheat or Fuel Due to US Sanctions, Trade Minister Says

Syrian Trade Minister Maher Khalil al-Hasan speaks during an interview with Reuters in Damascus, Syria, January 6 2025. (Reuters)
Syrian Trade Minister Maher Khalil al-Hasan speaks during an interview with Reuters in Damascus, Syria, January 6 2025. (Reuters)
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Syria Unable to Import Wheat or Fuel Due to US Sanctions, Trade Minister Says

Syrian Trade Minister Maher Khalil al-Hasan speaks during an interview with Reuters in Damascus, Syria, January 6 2025. (Reuters)
Syrian Trade Minister Maher Khalil al-Hasan speaks during an interview with Reuters in Damascus, Syria, January 6 2025. (Reuters)

Syria is unable to make deals to import fuel, wheat or other key goods due to strict US sanctions and despite many countries wanting to do so, Syria's new trade minister said.

In an interview with Reuters at his office in Damascus, Maher Khalil al-Hasan said Syria's new ruling administration had managed to scrape together enough wheat and fuel for a few months but the country faces a "catastrophe" if sanctions are not frozen or lifted soon.

Hasan is a member of the new caretaker government set up by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group after it launched a lightning offensive that toppled autocratic President Bashar al-Assad on Dec. 8 after 13 years of civil war.

The sanctions were imposed during Assad's rule, targeting his government and also state institutions such as the central bank.

Russia and Iran, both major backers of the Assad government, previously provided most of Syria's wheat and oil products but both stopped doing so after the opposition factions triumphed and Assad fled to Moscow.

The US is set to announce an easing of restrictions on providing humanitarian aid and other basic services such as electricity to Syria while maintaining its strict sanctions regime, people briefed on the matter told Reuters on Monday.

The exact impact of the expected measures remains to be seen.

The decision by the outgoing Biden administration aims to send a signal of goodwill to Syria's people and its new rulers, and pave the way for improving basic services and living conditions in the war-ravaged country.

Washington wants to see Damascus embark on an inclusive political transition and to cooperate on counterterrorism and other matters.

Hasan told Reuters he was aware of reports that some sanctions may soon be eased or frozen.