Yemen's Presidential Council to Up Economic Measures to Confront Houthis

Head of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Rashad al-Alimi with three other members (Saba)
Head of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Rashad al-Alimi with three other members (Saba)
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Yemen's Presidential Council to Up Economic Measures to Confront Houthis

Head of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Rashad al-Alimi with three other members (Saba)
Head of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Rashad al-Alimi with three other members (Saba)

The Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council asserted that the government would continue its efforts to curb the impact of Houthi attacks on oil export ports and address the economic war waged by the militias against the government.

Official Yemeni sources stated that the Council held a meeting chaired by Rashad al-Alimi to address the latest developments in the country, including the economic situation following the government policies aimed at alleviating the repercussions of Houthi attacks on oil facilities and ports.

The meeting also aimed to confront restrictions imposed on the activities of the private sector and the movement of individuals, commodities, and humanitarian aid.

Saba state news agency reported that the Council stressed the importance of doubling efforts to improve rational management of resources, public revenues, deposits, and generous development aid from Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

The Council praised the royal directives from the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman, to deposit $1 billion at the Central Bank of Yemen. The move promotes the bank's capabilities in managing monetary policy, maintaining the stability of the national currency, and thwarting the plans of terrorist militias.

Meanwhile, media in reported that local authority led by Mohammed Ali Yasser met with the US ambassador to Yemen, Steven Fagin, and the commander of the US Fifth Fleet, General Charles Cooper, and several US officials at the headquarters of the Coalition to Support Legitimacy.

The talks stressed on the importance of continuing efforts to combat the smuggling of Iranian weapons and drugs to Yemen.

It addressed efforts to combat arms and drug smuggling and boost cooperation, coordination, and capacity-building for the Coast Guard to enhance maritime security and international freedom of navigation.

The sources quoted the US ambassador as saying that the visit aims to show Washington's support for Yemen and al-Mahra governorate, and to boost many aspects in the security field and combating smuggling and terrorism.

Earlier, the British Royal Navy and the US Navy intercepted and confiscated an Iranian arms shipment in the Gulf of Oman, likely destined for the Houthis in Yemen.

Yemeni Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani said this confirmed the Tehran regime's escalation of arms smuggling operations to the Houthis in flagrant violation of international resolutions.

Eryani explained that the Joint Maritime Forces managed to carry out seven interception operations in the past three months.

He said the escalation of arms smuggling operations to Houthi militias revealed intentions to thwart international efforts to restore the ceasefire, accusing Tehran of blocking peace efforts.

The minister appreciated the efforts of the joint naval forces, led by the US Navy and the British Royal Navy, in thwarting Iranian arms smuggling operations. He called for support for the Yemeni Coast Guard to raise their readiness in combating terrorism, arms and drug smuggling and other illegal activities.

Eryani called on the international community, the United Nations, and the Security Council's permanent members to take a firm stance to stop Iranian activities that undermine security and regional and global peace.

Meanwhile, the Yemeni government affirmed its support for UN and international efforts to renew and expand the armistice to launch a comprehensive peace process leading to ending the coup and restoring the state.

Foreign Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak urged the international community to pressure the Houthi militia and its supporters to comply with the requirements of a lasting and comprehensive peace that all Yemenis seek.

He called for providing the necessary support to the Yemeni government to carry out its responsibilities in normalizing economic conditions, providing services to citizens, and implementing the required reforms.



US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
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US Defers Removal of Some Lebanese, Citing Israel-Hezbollah Tensions

Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)
Smoke billows from a site targeted by Lebanon's Hezbollah, along the northern Israeli border with Lebanon on July 25, 2024, amid ongoing cross-border clashes between Israeli troops and Hezbollah fighters. (AFP)

The United States is deferring the removal of certain Lebanese citizens from the country, President Joe Biden said on Friday, citing humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon amid tensions between Israel and Hezbollah.

The deferred designation, which lasts 18 months, allows Lebanese citizens to remain in the country with the right to work, according to a memorandum Biden sent to the Department of Homeland Security.

"Humanitarian conditions in southern Lebanon have significantly deteriorated due to tensions between Hezbollah and Israel," Biden said in the memo.

"While I remain focused on de-escalating the situation and improving humanitarian conditions, many civilians remain in danger; therefore, I am directing the deferral of removal of certain Lebanese nationals who are present in the United States."

Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah have been trading fire since Hezbollah announced a "support front" with Palestinians shortly after its ally Hamas attacked southern Israeli border communities on Oct. 7, triggering Israel's military assault in Gaza.

The fighting in Lebanon has killed more than 100 civilians and more than 300 Hezbollah fighters, according to a Reuters tally, and led to levels of destruction in Lebanese border towns and villages not seen since the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war.

On the Israeli side, 10 Israeli civilians, a foreign agricultural worker and 20 Israeli soldiers have been killed. Tens of thousands have been evacuated from both sides of the border.