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Gulf

Saudi Crown Prince Meets President, Members of Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council

The Saudi Crown Prince meets with Rashad Al-Alimi. SPA
The Saudi Crown Prince meets with Rashad Al-Alimi. SPA
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Saudi Crown Prince Meets President, Members of Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council

The Saudi Crown Prince meets with Rashad Al-Alimi. SPA
The Saudi Crown Prince meets with Rashad Al-Alimi. SPA

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met on Thursday with the president and members of the newly formed Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, expressing the Kingdom’s hope that its establishment would turn a new page in Yemen.

The Crown Prince further stressed Saudi Arabia’s keenness on supporting the country’s security and stability.

The reception was attended by Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, Minister of State, Cabinet Member and National Security Adviser Dr. Musaed bin Mohammed Al-Aiban, Head of State Security Abdulaziz Al-Huwairini, Chief of General Intelligence Khalid bin Ali Al-Humaidan, and Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammed Al Jaber.

Meanwhile, Gulf, Arab and other states on Thursday welcomed the Yemeni president’s decision to transfer his powers to the new presidential council, headed by Rashad Al-Alimi.

Saudi Arabia hailed the announcement of Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi on launching the presidential council under the Yemeni constitution and the Gulf initiative and its executive mechanisms.

In this regard, Saudi Arabia announced providing urgent $3 billion support to the Yemeni economy, including $2 billion from the Kingdom and UAE to support the Central Bank of Yemen and a $1 billion Saudi grant for petroleum products and development.

Moreover, Riyadh called for an international conference to support Yemen’s economy and said it would give $300 million to the United Nations aid response to the country’s humanitarian crisis.

Saudi Arabia urged the new presidential leadership council to start negotiating with the Houthis, under the supervision of the United Nations, to reach a final and comprehensive political solution that includes a transitional period that will lead Yemen to peace and development.

In a statement, Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the formation of a new presidential council in Yemen with full presidential powers, saying it hopes that such a step will help Yemen complete the transitional phase and move toward security and safety.

“Egypt has followed with the utmost interest the formation of the presidential leadership council in the Yemeni republic, with full presidential powers, to complete the tasks of the transitional phase in Yemen, according to the constitution and the Gulf initiative,” the statement read.

The Jordanian government, for its part, welcomed the new development, expressing full support for reaching a political solution for the Yemeni crisis, based on the approved references, namely the GCC initiative and its executive mechanisms, the Yemeni Comprehensive National Dialogue Conference, and UN Security Council Resolution 2216.

Jordan also commended economic support provided by Saudi Arabia and the UAE to support the Yemeni economy, alleviate the suffering of the people and finance the Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) announced by the United Nations.

Russia has also welcomed the establishment of the Yemeni presidential council.

“We hope that members of the Presidential Leadership Council will do everything in their power to stabilize the situation in Yemen and restore this historically friendly country to a peaceful life,” the Russian foreign ministry said in a statement.

On the GCC level, Bahrain affirmed its full support for the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council to achieve the aspirations of the Yemeni people for security, stability and development, and end the Yemeni crisis through a comprehensive political solution between the different Yemeni components.

Kuwait also praised on Thursday the decision to form the council, a step in line with the Yemeni constitution and the GCC peace initiative. A statement by the foreign ministry expressed the country’s full support to the council’s efforts to achieve stability, peace, and security for Yemen and its people.

Similarly, Dr. Nayef Al Hajraf, GCC Secretary General, welcomed the announcement made by Hadi to complete the implementation of the tasks of the transitional period, in accordance with the Yemeni constitution, and the GCC initiative and its executive mechanism.

From the Egyptian capital, Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit lauded the decision, expressing his hope that the new council would lead the country towards peace.

The Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Hussein Ibrahim Taha, for his part, said he hoped that this declaration would contribute to ending the fighting in Yemen and supporting negotiations between all Yemeni parties.

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Gulf

With Saudi Backing, Yemen Moves to Forge Southern Consensus and Restore State Authority in the North

Members of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council meet with the Saudi Defense Minister. Saba
Members of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council meet with the Saudi Defense Minister. Saba
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With Saudi Backing, Yemen Moves to Forge Southern Consensus and Restore State Authority in the North

Members of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council meet with the Saudi Defense Minister. Saba
Members of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council meet with the Saudi Defense Minister. Saba

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council took a series of far-reaching decisions on Thursday, including changes to its membership and the appointment of a new prime minister tasked with forming a new government, in a move aimed at reshaping power dynamics within the anti-Houthi camp and strengthening unified sovereign decision-making under declared Saudi support.

In a rapid sequence of decisions, the council revoked Faraj Al-Buhsani's membership, filled the resulting vacancies by appointing Lieutenant General Mahmoud Al-Subaihi and Dr. Salem Al-Khanbashi, accepted the resignation of Prime Minister Salem bin Braik’s government, and named Shaea Mohsen Al-Zandani to form a new cabinet.

The steps, which officials said were taken with Saudi Arabia playing a “decisive” role, are intended to normalize conditions in southern provinces, particularly Hadhramaut, and pave the way for a comprehensive south-to-south dialogue to be hosted in Riyadh.

The decision to strip Al-Buhsani of his membership in the Presidential Leadership Council was not merely a change in personnel, according to the legal reasoning published by official media, but a firm political and legal message.

The decision accused him of “breaching the principle of collective responsibility” and “challenging sovereign decisions.”

It said Al-Buhsani had “exploited his constitutional position to provide political and legal cover for illegal military movements” carried out by what it described as the dissolved Southern Transitional Council, including justifying the mobilization of forces from outside Hadhramaut to attack the province.

He was also accused of endorsing “unilateral measures” led by Aidarous al-Zubaidi, who has been referred to the public prosecutor on charges of high treason, actions that the decision said had contributed to undermining national unity.

The language of the ruling framed those actions as an “armed rebellion outside the framework of the state,” shifting the southern dispute from a political disagreement into a question of allegiance to state institutions and legitimacy.

The move was seen as a heavy blow to the dissolved Transitional Council and its supporters, reaffirming that southern demands must be pursued through constitutional and legal channels and through negotiations under Saudi sponsorship, rather than unilateral military action.

Rebalancing power

The appointment of Dr. Salem Al-Khanbashi, the governor of Hadhramaut, as a member of the Presidential Leadership Council while retaining his local post underscored the priority placed on stability in the oil-rich province.

In a previous interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Al-Khanbashi said the Saudi position had been “decisive” in the rapid withdrawal of Southern Transitional Council forces from Hadhramaut.

His elevation to the council is seen as recognition of his recent efforts and is expected to strengthen the government camp’s ability to manage political and security conditions in Hadhramaut and across southern Yemen.

The appointment of Lt. Gen. Mahmoud Al-Subaihi, a veteran military commander, was viewed as bolstering the representation of the professional military establishment within the council and sending a reassuring message to forces fighting on the front lines against the Houthis.

Officials said it could also be a step toward unifying military formations under the Ministry of Defense, a key Saudi and international demand.

Accepting the government's resignation and appointing Al-Zandani to form a new cabinet was aimed at renewing government performance to meet the demands of a new phase, shifting from crisis management to rebuilding institutions and improving services.

The move coincided with Saudi Arabia’s announcement of $90 million in financial support to pay salaries, in addition to covering military wages starting Sunday.

Broader context

The latest Yemeni moves cannot be separated from Saudi Arabia’s regional role. Alongside the internal decisions, Riyadh announced a new development package for Yemen worth 1.9 billion Saudi riyals, or about $500 million, and preparations to host a south-to-south dialogue conference, while continuing efforts to reunify military forces.

The Saudi strategy, according to officials, centers on supporting Yemen’s legitimate authority to impose control, unify armed forces, end armed activity outside the state, and facilitate inclusive southern dialogue under its sponsorship to reach a unified vision addressing the southern issue.

Saudi Arabia has also continued its development and humanitarian efforts, linking political stability in Yemen to improved services and living conditions to restore public confidence in state institutions.

These developments come as UN envoy Hans Grundberg has warned of the truce's fragility, stressing that the future of the south cannot be imposed by force.

The changes appear aimed at forging a more cohesive and unified southern leadership capable of entering decisive negotiations over the shape of Yemen’s future state, before turning to the long-delayed settlement in the north, where the Houthis continue to obstruct regional and international efforts to end the conflict and re-enter a peace process to restore stability across Yemen.

Gulf

Saudi King Leaves Hospital after Reassuring Medical Tests

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
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Saudi King Leaves Hospital after Reassuring Medical Tests

Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA
Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. SPA

The Royal Court said on Friday that Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud left King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh after completing medical examinations.

“The results were reassuring,” it said.

“May Allah protect the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques and grant him continued health and well-being,” the statement added.

Gulf

Saudi Arabia Welcomes Start of the 2nd Phase of Gaza’s Comprehensive Peace Plan

FILE PHOTO: Palestinian girls walk past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the war, in Gaza City, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Palestinian girls walk past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the war, in Gaza City, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas/File Photo
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Saudi Arabia Welcomes Start of the 2nd Phase of Gaza’s Comprehensive Peace Plan

FILE PHOTO: Palestinian girls walk past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the war, in Gaza City, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Palestinian girls walk past the rubble of residential buildings destroyed during the war, in Gaza City, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas/File Photo

The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the announcement of the start of the second phase of the comprehensive peace plan, and the formation of the Palestinian National Committee for the Administration of the Gaza Strip as a temporary transitional body, established pursuant to Security Council Resolution 2803.

It also welcomed US President Donald Trump's announcement of the Peace Council, and expressed its appreciation for his leadership and efforts to stop the war in Gaza, his commitment to withdraw the Israeli army, prevent the annexation of any part of the West Bank, and push towards sustainable peace in the region.

The ministry commended the efforts of the mediators, Qatar, Egypt, and Türkiye.

It stressed the importance of supporting the work of the Interim Palestinian National Committee to carry out its tasks in managing the daily affairs of the residents of the Gaza Strip, while maintaining the institutional and geographical link between the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, ensuring the unity of Gaza, and rejecting any attempts to divide it.

The statement also stressed the need to establish the ceasefire, stop violations, ensure unrestricted humanitarian access to the Gaza Strip, speed up the launch of early recovery and reconstruction efforts throughout Gaza, and prepare for the return of the Palestinian National Authority to assume its responsibilities in the Gaza Strip, leading to an end to the Israeli occupation of all Palestinian land in Gaza and the West Bank, and the embodiment of an independent Palestinian state in line with United Nations resolutions, the Arab Peace Initiative, and the principle of the two-state solution.