Riyadh–Yemeni presidential advisor Yassin Makawi said escalatory measures taken by Houthi rebels confirm that they are not serious in implementing the ceasefire and achieving peace in Yemen.

In comments to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper on Wednesday, Makawi said the Houthis were determined to announce the formation of a so-called national salvation government in the few coming days, stressing that such a step would hamper any chance to hold peaceful political negotiations in the war-torn country.

“This is not the first time they obstruct chances to reach peace in Yemen”, Makawi said, adding that every peaceful initiative proposed by the legitimate government is met by escalating measures by the rebels.

“These forces don’t want to establish peace; instead, they want to meddle with this country and distort security and safety of our brothers and neighbors in Saudi Arabia and the Arabian Gulf”, the Yemeni presidential advisor said.

He went on to say that the Houthis were implementing Iranian agendas in the region, stressing that the international community should be aware that the rebels were not looking for the establishment of peace in Yemen.

“Based on our past experiences, we have not seen any form of commitment by those gangs to ceasefire,” Makawi said.

During a meeting in London on Saturday, the United States, Britain and the United Nations called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Yemen to begin on Wednesday night.

The international call for a 72-hour truce was welcomed by Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s legitimate government, while sources said that Houthi rebels have informed the U.N. Special Envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, of their endorsement of the ceasefire.