Governor of Yemen's Hadhramaut Salem al-Khanbashi stressed that the situation in the governorate was returning to normal in wake of the recent developments and withdrawal of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces.
In remarks to Asharq Al-Awsat from his office in Mukalla, he said: "The general situation is calm and stable. Work is underway to resume operations at various public administrations."
"Security measures have also been intensified, especially over the possession of weapons," he added.
He revealed that several suspects involved in looting and the possession of heavy weapons have been arrested.
"Life is gradually returning back to normal and the situation will improve," he stressed.
On Saudi Arabia's role, Khanbashi credited the Kingdom with helping move forward the issue of the STC withdrawal from Hadhramaut in record time.
Coordination with the Kingdom continues, he added.
He also noted that a meeting was held with senior Hadhramaut officials with leaders of the "Hadhramaut elite brigades" to discuss returning the forces to their former military positions.
Coordination with Saudi Arabia is at a "very high level", he revealed. Hadhramaut has received pledges from senior Saudi officials that major projects will be implemented in the governorate to develop infrastructure.
On restructuring the local authority, Khanbashi stressed: "Measures have been taken against officials who had openly expressed their support to the STC or who had taken contentious political positions."
Commenting on the conference Riyadh will be hosting on the southern issue, he said the Hadhramaut leadership has met with several members of the Hadhramaut National Council to discuss the issue.
The details of the talks and mechanism to choose representatives have not taken shape yet, he told Asharq Al-Awsat.
Expanded meetings with various political and social figures will be held in the governorate in the coming days with the aim of coming up with a unified vision that represents Hadhramaut at the conference, he added.
He noted the historic differences that exist between Hadhramaut and other southern governorates that should be taken into consideration and discussed.
On the issue of the Hadhramaut airports, he said the Riyan Airport is ready and expected to resume operations in the next two days.
