Yemeni Government Kickstarts 2023 with Measures to Protect the Economy, Stabilize the Currency

The Yemeni Supreme Economic Council holds a meeting in Aden (Saba News Agency)
The Yemeni Supreme Economic Council holds a meeting in Aden (Saba News Agency)
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Yemeni Government Kickstarts 2023 with Measures to Protect the Economy, Stabilize the Currency

The Yemeni Supreme Economic Council holds a meeting in Aden (Saba News Agency)
The Yemeni Supreme Economic Council holds a meeting in Aden (Saba News Agency)

The internationally recognized Yemeni government has launched 2023 by taking measures to protect the economy and stabilize the local currency, according to official sources.

Government measures included an emphasis on rationalizing spending and sticking to inevitable expenses.

Moreover, the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) underlined the need for strengthening unity, discussing efforts to end the coup waged by Houthi militias and restore state institutions.

According to Saba News Agency, PLC head Rashad al-Alimi led a closed meeting for the ruling body on Wednesday.

All members of the PLC contributed to the discussions. While Sultan al-Errada, Abdurrahman al-Mahrami, Abdullah al-Alimi, and Othman Mujalli were present in person, Aidarous Azaibaid, Tariq Saleh and Faraj al-Bahssani contributed to the meeting via video conference.

The session was devoted to discussing the latest developments in the national arena, action-plans and practical policies to alleviate the citizens’ suffering, in addition to bolstering national alignment and efforts to restore the state’s institutions and end the Iranian-backed terrorist Houthi militias.

With fears growing over Houthi attacks continuing to obstruct oil exports, the government approved a set of measures to mitigate damage, improve resources, and stabilize the price of the local currency.

The Supreme Economic Council, headed by Prime Minister Maeen Abdel-Malik, also approved a package of measures that promote and improve living conditions for Yemeni citizens and alleviates their suffering.

The Council, in its meeting in the interim capital, Aden, reviewed the proposals submitted by the Finance Minister Salem Saleh Bin Braik and Central Bank Governor Ahmed Ghaleb.

Rationalizing spending, raising revenues in line with the new changes, and dealing with the repercussions of Houthi terrorist attacks targeting crude oil export ports were among the proposals presented by Braik and Ghaleb.

Not only do Houthi attacks impact humanitarian conditions in Yemen, but they also affect energy supplies and international freedom of navigation.



Qatar Foreign Ministry: Hamas Political Office in Doha Has Not Been Permanently Closed

A file photo of two Palestinian fighters from the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, participating in a military parade near the border with Israel in central Gaza Strip, July 19, 2023 (Reuters).
A file photo of two Palestinian fighters from the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, participating in a military parade near the border with Israel in central Gaza Strip, July 19, 2023 (Reuters).
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Qatar Foreign Ministry: Hamas Political Office in Doha Has Not Been Permanently Closed

A file photo of two Palestinian fighters from the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, participating in a military parade near the border with Israel in central Gaza Strip, July 19, 2023 (Reuters).
A file photo of two Palestinian fighters from the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of the Hamas movement, participating in a military parade near the border with Israel in central Gaza Strip, July 19, 2023 (Reuters).

The political office of the Palestinian Hamas group in Doha has not been permanently closed, Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al-Ansari said on Tuesday.
Al-Ansari said leaders of the Hamas negotiating team were not in Doha, reported Reuters.
Qatar said last week it had told Hamas and Israel that it will suspend efforts to mediate a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal until both show seriousness about resuming talks. Doha also said media reports that it had told Hamas to leave the Gulf Arab country were not accurate.

Qatar, which is home to a major US military base, has hosted Hamas's political leadership since 2012 with Washington's blessing.

During the talks after Hamas's October 7 attack on Israel last year, both Qatari and US officials indicated that the militant group would remain in Doha as long as its presence offered a viable channel of communication.