Grundberg Urges Houthis to Prioritize Interests of Yemeni People

UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. Photo: UN
UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. Photo: UN
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Grundberg Urges Houthis to Prioritize Interests of Yemeni People

UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. Photo: UN
UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg. Photo: UN

UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg has urged Yemen’s Houthi militias to prioritize the interests of the Yemeni people and called for the unconditional release of detained UN personnel.

Grundberg concluded a visit to Muscat, where he held meetings with senior Omani officials, his office said in a statement on Wednesday.

During the meetings, Grundberg expressed appreciation for the Omani role in advancing UN efforts toward peace and stability in Yemen.

Grundberg also met with Mohammed Abdulsalam, chief negotiator and spokesperson of the Houthis, emphasizing the urgent need for broader de-escalation across Yemen.

“The Special Envoy stressed the importance of prioritizing the interests of the Yemeni people and called for constructive dialogue,” said the statement.

Throughout all his meetings, the Special Envoy reiterated the UN chief’s “urgent call for the immediate and unconditional release of detained UN personnel,” it added.

Last week, the Special Envoy met with Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohamed Al Jaber in Riyadh.

The talks focused on de-escalation efforts in Yemen amid regional tensions.

Grundberg also met with the P5 members of the UN Security Council. He underscored the critical need for a unified approach to support efforts toward a political process and a ceasefire in Yemen.

The Special Envoy emphasized the importance of sustained advocacy for releasing detained UN personnel.



EU Condemns Israel's West Bank Control Measures

The Israeli settlement of Har Homa, seen from the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP)
The Israeli settlement of Har Homa, seen from the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP)
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EU Condemns Israel's West Bank Control Measures

The Israeli settlement of Har Homa, seen from the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP)
The Israeli settlement of Har Homa, seen from the West Bank city of Bethlehem, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024. (AP)

The European Union on Monday condemned new Israeli measures to tighten control of the West Bank and pave the way for more settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory, AFP reported.

"The European Union condemns recent decisions by Israel's security cabinet to expand Israeli control in the West Bank. This move is another step in the wrong direction," EU spokesman Anouar El Anouni told journalists.


Atrocities in Sudan's El-Fasher Were 'Preventable Human Rights Catastrophe'

Sudanese displaced people who left El Fasher after its fall, sit in the shade in Tawila at the Rwanda camp reception point on December 17, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
Sudanese displaced people who left El Fasher after its fall, sit in the shade in Tawila at the Rwanda camp reception point on December 17, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
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Atrocities in Sudan's El-Fasher Were 'Preventable Human Rights Catastrophe'

Sudanese displaced people who left El Fasher after its fall, sit in the shade in Tawila at the Rwanda camp reception point on December 17, 2025. (Photo by AFP)
Sudanese displaced people who left El Fasher after its fall, sit in the shade in Tawila at the Rwanda camp reception point on December 17, 2025. (Photo by AFP)

The atrocities unleashed on El-Fasher in Sudan's Darfur region last October were a "preventable human rights catastrophe", the United Nations said Monday, warning they now risked being repeated in the neighbouring Kordofan region.

 

"My office sounded the alarm about the risk of mass atrocities in the besieged city of El-Fasher for more than a year ... but our warnings were ignored," UN rights chief Volker Turk told the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

 

He added that he was now "extremely concerned that these violations and abuses may be repeated in the Kordofan region".

 

 

 

 


Arab League Condemns Israel's Decisions to Alter Legal, Administrative Status of West Bank

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
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Arab League Condemns Israel's Decisions to Alter Legal, Administrative Status of West Bank

A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)
A general view shows the opening session of the meeting of Arab foreign ministers at the Arab League Headquarters (Reuters)

The General Secretariat of the Arab League strongly condemned decisions by Israeli occupation authorities to impose fundamental changes on the legal and administrative status of the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in the West Bank, describing them as a dangerous escalation and a flagrant violation of international law, international legitimacy resolutions, and signed agreements, SPA reported.

In a statement, the Arab League said the measures include facilitating the confiscation of private Palestinian property and transferring planning and licensing authorities in the city of Hebron and the area surrounding the Ibrahimi Mosque to occupation authorities.

It warned of the serious repercussions of these actions on the rights of the Palestinian people and on Islamic and Christian holy sites.

The statement reaffirmed the Arab League’s firm support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, foremost among them the establishment of their independent state on the June 4, 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital.