Guterres welcomes Saudi steps to end the fighting in Yemen
English - Wednesday 24 March 2021 الساعة 09:32 am
Aden, NewsYemen:
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed, on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia's announcement of steps to help end the fighting and resume the political process in Yemen.
In a statement, Antonio Guterres noted all steps aimed at bringing the parties closer to reaching a solution, in line with the efforts of his Special Envoy, Martin Griffiths, to secure a nationwide ceasefire, reopening Sanaa airport, and the regular flow of fuel and other goods to Yemen through Hodeidah port.
In addition to moving to a comprehensive political process, to reach a "comprehensive negotiated settlement to end the conflict."
Guterres stressed that "the needs of the Yemeni people must be above all other considerations," calling for fuel ships to be allowed "quickly" to enter Hodeidah port and to remove obstacles to internal distribution.
The UN Secretary-General urged the parties to "seize this opportunity and work with his special envoy to move forward in good faith and without preconditions."
He reiterated that "all actors and stakeholders must do their utmost to facilitate an immediate agreement that will bring Yemen back to the path of peace."
On Monday, the Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, announced an initiative aimed at ending the crisis in Yemen, which has entered its seventh year.
"We want a comprehensive ceasefire in preparation for political dialogue, and the ball is now in the Houthi court," he said at a press conference in Riyadh.
He said that the initiative includes opening Sanaa airport to direct, regional and international flights, allowing the import of fuel and foodstuffs, and then starting consultations between the Yemeni parties to reach a political solution to the Yemeni crisis under the auspices of the United Nations.
