Yemen Presidential Council Accuses Houthis of Seeking to Renege on UN Truce

A woman makes bread at a camp for displaced people in al-Ghaidha, Yemen April 11, 2022. Picture taken April 11, 2022. (Reuters)
A woman makes bread at a camp for displaced people in al-Ghaidha, Yemen April 11, 2022. Picture taken April 11, 2022. (Reuters)
TT

Yemen Presidential Council Accuses Houthis of Seeking to Renege on UN Truce

A woman makes bread at a camp for displaced people in al-Ghaidha, Yemen April 11, 2022. Picture taken April 11, 2022. (Reuters)
A woman makes bread at a camp for displaced people in al-Ghaidha, Yemen April 11, 2022. Picture taken April 11, 2022. (Reuters)

The Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) in Yemen accused on Monday the Iran-backed Houthi militias of seeking to renege on the two-month United Nations truce.

The truce entered its fourth week on Saturday a day before the first flight out of Sanaa airport was delayed due to Houthi violations.

The truce had called for the operation of two flights per week to and from Sanaa airport from Amman and Cairo. It also called for a nationwide ceasefire, the possibility of opening crossings and ending the Houthi siege on Taiz, and allowing 18 fuel ships to unload at Hodeidah port.

The PLC met under Chairman Rashad al-Alimi to discuss a number of national issues and ways to overcome challenges.

The gatherers noted the Houthis' obstruction of the Sanaa flight that was scheduled for Sunday, reported the state news agency Saba.

They held the militias responsible for compounding the suffering of the Yemeni people living in areas under their control. They accused the Houthis of creating problems so that they could later renege on the truce and hinder the UN-led peace process.

The PLC reiterated the government position that is keen on easing the suffering of the people, without exception.

The council held another meeting that was attended by Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik and Aden Governor Ahmed Lamlas to discuss the plan to develop the interim capital.

They addressed electricity, water, sewage, education and health files that had been put on hold for various reasons.

The PLC approved the formation of a presidential committee, headed by the prime minister and including concerned ministers, to devise the development plan for Aden and improve services.



Lebanon’s New PM Sees Positive Atmosphere in Cabinet Formation Talks

This handout picture provided by the press office of the Lebanese presidency shows Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam speaking to the media at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut on January 17, 2025. (Lebanese Presidency / Handout/ AFP
This handout picture provided by the press office of the Lebanese presidency shows Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam speaking to the media at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut on January 17, 2025. (Lebanese Presidency / Handout/ AFP
TT

Lebanon’s New PM Sees Positive Atmosphere in Cabinet Formation Talks

This handout picture provided by the press office of the Lebanese presidency shows Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam speaking to the media at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut on January 17, 2025. (Lebanese Presidency / Handout/ AFP
This handout picture provided by the press office of the Lebanese presidency shows Lebanon's Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam speaking to the media at the presidential palace in Baabda, east of Beirut on January 17, 2025. (Lebanese Presidency / Handout/ AFP

Lebanese Prime Minister-designate Nawaf Salam said on Friday the formation of a new government would not be delayed, indicating a very positive atmosphere in discussions over its composition.

Salam was nominated by a majority of lawmakers on Monday to form the new government, although he did not win the backing of the Shiite parties Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, led by parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.

"The atmosphere is more than positive among all the blocs and today from Speaker Berri," Salam said, speaking to reporters after a meeting with President Joseph Aoun, who was elected by parliament on Jan. 9.

Berri, a close Hezbollah ally, said on Friday he held a "promising meeting" with Salam.

The Iran-backed Hezbollah and Amal had wanted the incumbent Prime Minister Najib Mikati to stay in the post, but a majority of lawmakers opted for Salam, who formerly served as president of the International Court of Justice.

Government formation discussions are often protracted in Lebanon, due to bartering among its sectarian factions over cabinet positions.