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Bahsani: Yemen’s Presidential Council will Seek to Achieve Stability in North, South

Major General Faraj Salmin al-Bahsani, member of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council
Major General Faraj Salmin al-Bahsani, member of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council
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Bahsani: Yemen’s Presidential Council will Seek to Achieve Stability in North, South

Major General Faraj Salmin al-Bahsani, member of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council
Major General Faraj Salmin al-Bahsani, member of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council

Major General Faraj Salmin al-Bahsani, member of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, confirmed that the council will lead the stage in the North and the South towards stability, calling for placing the national project above any other considerations.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Bahsani noted that a draft roadmap was currently being discussed and included a first phase of six months to stabilize the ceasefire, then a preparation stage of three months, followed by a transitional phase that extends over two years to discuss the form of the state.

He also stressed that Saudi Arabia was leading the process of rapprochement between the Yemeni legitimacy and the Houthi group, based on good neighborliness and brotherhood between the two countries, expressing his confidence that the Kingdom would continue to stand by the Presidential Leadership Council and the legitimate government.

Bahsani said, however, that the proposed draft peace map “collided at the beginning with the intransigence of the Houthi militia, which practices the Iranian method of procrastination.”

“These militias do not care about ending the war or the suffering of the people through regional and international opportunities to bring peace to Yemen. All they want from the war and the coup against the state is to control the institutions and seize power,” he underlined.

According to Bahsani, the most important axes of “the draft peace map include a first phase of six months, in which the ceasefire is established and other measures are taken without the militia’s intervention.”

Those measures seek to facilitate commercial activity and the citizens’ movement in areas controlled by the Houthis.

“As for the second phase, it will last for three months, during which the plans and programs for the transitional phase will be prepared,” he underlined.

The member of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council stated that Saudi Arabia was leading the process of rapprochement between the legitimacy and the Houthis, pointing out that neither the council nor the legitimate government participated in any direct dialogues with the Houthi militia.

He also stressed that the Saudi-Iranian agreement signed on March 10 will reflect positively on major regional files, including Yemen.

“Saudi Arabia puts all its diplomatic weight to solve this file with the Republic of Iran and to stop Tehran’s backing of the Houthi militia,” Bahsani told Asharq Al-Awsat, adding that the Houthis used this support “to kill the Yemeni people and tamper with the stability of the region as a whole, not just Yemen.”

The member of the Presidential Leadership Council emphasized that the war was not over yet, and that the Yemeni army was ready for the worst possibilities if the Houthis insisted on a new round of fighting.

With regards to the peace efforts led by Saudi Arabia, the UN envoy and a number of “brotherly and friendly” countries that took place during the past years, the Houthi group has constantly renounced these agreements, Bahsani said.

“This is what made the legitimacy demand guarantees for the implementation of any future agreements,” he added.

The Yemeni official expressed his doubts over the commitment of the Houthi group to the peace map. On the other hand, he noted that the structure of the state and the fate of the Yemenis will be decided in the North and the South during the upcoming arrangements.

“Thus, it will be a great responsibility for the brothers in the North to get rid of these militias and their weapons, and as southerners, we will be supportive of any role in this regard,” he remarked.

According to Bahsani, the Presidencial Council was able to complete many achievements since its formation, mainly restructuring and reactivating the judiciary, reviving efforts to advance the peace process and consolidate stability in the liberated governorates, and addressing many issues within the military.

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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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UN Deputy Special Coordinator to Asharq Al-Awsat: Humanitarian Situation in Lebanon is ‘Catastrophic’

Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Imran Riza, the UN’s Deputy Special Coordinator, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon (Asharq Al-Awsat)

One of the UN’s top humanitarian officials in Lebanon, Imran Riza, has warned that the situation will worsen if the conflict continues, calling for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah.

He stressed that the ongoing war is placing immense strain on both the UN and the Lebanese government, as over a million people have been displaced. He said current needs exceed $400 million, but only 12% of that amount has been raised so far.

Worsening Crisis

Riza, who is the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for Lebanon, UN Resident, and Humanitarian Coordinator for Lebanon, spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat. He described the past two weeks as “catastrophic” for civilians, with the crisis growing over the last year.

More than 600,000 people have been displaced and over a million affected, with 300,000 crossing the border, according to Riza.

Many of these people have been displaced more than once in search of safety. Riza emphasized that the war has severely impacted civilians, with more than a quarter of Lebanon's population affected.

The UN has been working to address the crisis, but Riza said resources are limited.

He stressed that the UN has been saying all year that it doesn’t have enough funds, even when there were only 110,000 displaced people.

Last week, the UN launched a $426 million appeal for urgent humanitarian aid, with 12% of the funding already secured.

Riza said more support is expected, with donor countries pledging additional help.

He also expressed gratitude for contributions from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which provided medical and relief supplies, and said the UN hopes to see more international assistance soon.

Working with the Government

The UN is working closely with the Lebanese government every day to provide shelter, food, healthcare, and water to those in need.

Cooperation with the government has been excellent, said Riza.

However, he acknowledged that the government’s capacity is weakened after five years of ongoing crises, which have also severely impacted the population.

People are less resilient than they were during the 2006 war, and the government and its institutions are weaker, affirmed Riza.

The UN is helping the government respond effectively, ensuring transparency and accountability, so that aid reaches those who need it, he added.

The UN is also collaborating with local and international NGOs that have gained experience from Lebanon’s recent crises, helping to ensure a more effective response. Shelters are also being monitored to prevent any abuse.

A Different Reality from 2006

The current situation in Lebanon is very different from the 2006 war. Politically, the country now has a caretaker government and no president, with much less international presence.

Back then, other countries were more involved, said Riza.

The 2006 war lasted only 33 days, but this conflict has dragged on for a year, he noted.

During recent visits to southern border areas, Riza said locals were asking when the war would end, as the situation has worsened significantly in the past two weeks.

Riza noted that, in the first week of the crisis, it was extremely difficult to respond, and even now, many displaced people remain without shelter.

The UN is working with the government to provide shelter, food, and healthcare, but it’s not easy, he noted.

Displacement Crisis

With winter approaching, Riza stressed the need to properly house displaced people, saying that people can’t be left without shelter.

There are also concerns over a lack of housing, clean water, and sanitation, as well as the risk of disease outbreaks. Despite these challenges, Riza praised the close cooperation between the UN, international organizations, and partners.

Many agencies are responding, he asserted.

Riza rejected any claims of discrimination between displaced groups, noting that both Lebanese and Syrians are currently staying in UNRWA schools. He added that talks with the government about sheltering displaced Syrians have been positive.

Riza also expressed concern about the school year and children’s education.

Prolonged Conflict

The United Nations sees no immediate solution to the humanitarian and military crisis in Lebanon, with Riza stressing that the solution must be political and diplomatic, but first, a ceasefire is needed.

While there is little optimism for an end to the conflict, Riza said, the UN is encouraged by the support from its partners, which helps the organization assist the displaced.

He mentioned the recent evacuation of 1,000 people from Ain Ebel and aid distribution in Tyre, emphasizing the need to ensure that they reach those in need.

Riza called on all sides to respect international and humanitarian laws, allowing safe access for aid workers.

He condemned violations, including the deaths of firefighters, health workers, civil defense staff, and UN personnel, adding that the toll on civilian and health infrastructure is growing.