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.



Biden: Joseph Aoun is ‘First-Rate Guy’

FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)
FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)
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Biden: Joseph Aoun is ‘First-Rate Guy’

FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)
FILE - President Joe Biden addresses the nation from the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, July 24, 2024. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, Pool, File)

US President Joe Biden welcomed the election of Joseph Aoun as Lebanon's president on Thursday, saying in a statement that the army chief was the “right leader” for the country.

“President Aoun has my confidence. I believe strongly he is the right leader for this time,” said Biden, adding that Aoun would provide “critical leadership” in overseeing an Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire.

Aoun's election by Lebanese lawmakers ended a more than two-year vacancy and could mark a step towards lifting the country out of financial meltdown.

“We finally have a president,” Biden said later, at the end of a meeting on the response to major wildfires in the US city of Los Angeles.

He said he had spoken to Aoun by phone on Thursday for “20 minutes to half an hour,” describing the Lebanese leader as a “first-rate guy.”

Biden pledged to continue US support for Lebanon’s security forces, and for Lebanon’s recovery and reconstruction, the White House said in a readout of Biden’s call with Aoun.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Aoun's election “a moment of historic opportunity,” which offered Lebanon a chance to “establish durable peace and stability.”

Aoun, who turned 61 on Friday, faces the difficult task of overseeing the fragile ceasefire with Israel in south Lebanon.

Separately, Biden spoke about the hostage talks between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

“We’re making some real progress,” he told reporters at the White House, adding that he had spoken with US negotiators earlier Thursday.

“I know hope springs eternal, but I’m still hopeful that we’ll be able to have a prisoner exchange.”

Biden added: “Hamas is the one getting in the way of that exchange right now, but I think we may be able to get that done. We need to get it done.”