Saudi Arabia welcomed on Tuesday the agreement signed in Muscat earlier to exchange prisoners and detainees in Yemen.
It deemed the development “an important humanitarian step that contributes to alleviating human suffering and boosting confidence-building opportunities.”
The Kingdom praised “the sincere efforts and generous initiatives exerted by Oman in hosting and sponsoring the talks, as well as its support for the negotiating efforts conducted from December 9 to 23.”
The Kingdom also hailed the efforts by the Office of the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and all parties who participated in the negotiations.
It reiterated its support for all efforts to achieve peace, security, and stability in a manner that fulfills the aspirations of the Yemeni people.
Yemen’s legitimate government and the Iran-backed Houthi militants reached an agreement to free 2,900 detainees held during the 11-year war.
Saudi Ambassador Mohamed Al-Haber said in a statement on X that the agreement was signed under the supervision of the Office of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen and the ICRC, “which will enable all detainees to return to their families.”
“I commend the efforts of the negotiation teams from both sides who succeeded in reaching an understanding and concluding this agreement, which addresses a humanitarian issue and strengthens efforts to bring calm and build confidence in Yemen,” he added.
The UN special envoy, Hans Grundberg, said the agreement was a “positive and meaningful step that will hopefully ease the suffering of detainees and their families across Yemen.”
“We are ready and determined to carry out the release, transfer and repatriation of detainees so that people separated from their families can be reunited in a safe and dignified manner,” said Christine Cipolla, the ICRC’s head of delegation in Yemen.
