Alimi Heads to Europe to Coordinate Peace Efforts in Yemen

The head of the Yemeni Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, leaving Aden (Saba)
The head of the Yemeni Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, leaving Aden (Saba)
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Alimi Heads to Europe to Coordinate Peace Efforts in Yemen

The head of the Yemeni Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, leaving Aden (Saba)
The head of the Yemeni Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, leaving Aden (Saba)

The head of the Yemeni Leadership Council, Rashad al-Alimi, left Aden for Riyadh ahead of his European tour, including Belgium and Germany, to coordinate the stalled peace efforts with the Houthi militia.

According to a source in the Yemeni presidency, Alimi was scheduled to hold discussions with senior European officials about bilateral relations, national developments, coordinating efforts to achieve peace, and ending the war and the human suffering created by the Iran-backed Houthi militia.

The source stated that Alimi would participate in the "Munich Security Conference," where international leaders, heads of organizations, and officials would discuss the current security challenges and policies.

The President and the seven members of the Council were struggling to fulfill the promises to rebuild institutions, achieve economic stability, provide services, restructure and unify government forces, complete state restoration, and end the Houthi coup, whether through peace or war.

Earlier, Alimi met with the UN envoy, Hans Grundberg, before landing in Aden, where he renewed his commitment to the just and comprehensive peace approach.

The Yemeni official asserted his support for regional and international efforts to push the Houthi militias to deal positively with all promising endeavors to launch an UN-led comprehensive political process that meets the aspirations of all Yemenis in restoring the state and achieving security and stability.

He also affirmed the Council's keenness to provide all facilities to the UN envoy to fulfill his mandate, underlining full support for the envoy's efforts.

Official sources noted that Alimi warned of the repercussions of the Houthis' actions against the private sector, the chambers of commerce, and the freedom of movement of individuals and goods between the governorates.

He called for strict international positions to reduce the human suffering these militias seek to exacerbate with the support of the Iranian regime.

Houthi militia is still rejecting proposals to renew and expand the truce, seeking new economic and political gains, including obtaining the largest share of the Yemeni oil revenues extracted from the liberated areas.

The Houthi militia targeted the oil ports in Hadramout and Shabwa, impeding the sale of crude oil since last October.

The UN envoy and European and regional parties are leading coordinated efforts, hoping to reach an agreement to renew the truce in Yemen to launch an inclusive political process leading to lasting peace.



Israeli Fire Wounds 5 in South Lebanon as Residents Try to Return

Israeli tanks maneuvers inside Wadi al-Saluki, southern Lebanon, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
Israeli tanks maneuvers inside Wadi al-Saluki, southern Lebanon, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
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Israeli Fire Wounds 5 in South Lebanon as Residents Try to Return

Israeli tanks maneuvers inside Wadi al-Saluki, southern Lebanon, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)
Israeli tanks maneuvers inside Wadi al-Saluki, southern Lebanon, Saturday, Jan. 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Mohammed Zaatari)

Israeli fire wounded five people in south Lebanon on Sunday, Lebanese media and security sources said, as residents sought to return to homes in the border area where Israeli forces remained on the ground after a deadline for their withdrawal passed.
Israel said on Friday it intended to keep troops on the ground beyond the Sunday deadline stipulated in the US-brokered ceasefire that halted last year's war with the Hezbollah. Israel did not say how long its forces would remain.
The deal stipulated that Israeli forces should withdraw from south Lebanon as Hezbollah's weapons and fighters were removed from the area and the Lebanese army deployed, within in a 60-day period which ended on Sunday morning.
Israel has said the terms had not been fully enforced by the Lebanese state, while Lebanon's military on Saturday accused Israel of procrastinating in its withdrawal.
Lebanon's National News Agency reported that Israeli forces opened fire on residents of the village of Kfar Kila after they crossed a barricade put up by Israeli forces, wounding five.
The Israeli military said it was looking into the report.
Kfar Kila is one of dozens of border villages that the Israeli military has said residents are forbidden from returning to until further notice.