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Yemen’s Information Minister Slams Houthi Delusion over ‘Legitimacy’ Differences | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Iran-backed Houthi insurgents man a checkpoint at the southern entrance to the city of Sana’a November 15, 2014. REUTERS/Mohamed al-Sayaghi


London- Yemeni Information Minister Muammar Al-Iryani downplayed rumors on differences among members of the country’s legitimate government, saying they were part of the Houthi insurgents’ war propaganda.

“This is all part of the media war led by the insurgents,” Iryani told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper in an interview. “The president has carefully chosen his team in leading the country to safe shores. That’s why the insurgents’ media is spreading fictitious and delusional news.”

“The Yemeni people are aware of the militias’ attempts to brainwash them” ever since the coup in 2014, he said, accusing the Houthis of resorting to rumors.

“But the legitimate media is resisting their attempts,” the minister stressed.

Iryani said the Yemeni government was formed in difficult circumstances. Despite that, it was able to make many achievements in liberated areas mainly as a result of the major support provided by the Arab Coalition, led by Saudi Arabia.

Asked why the UN-sponsored negotiations on the Yemeni crisis have been frozen, the minister said: “The Yemeni government extends its hand to peace and to avoid bloodshed … But the insurgent delegation has been intransigent regarding the initiatives made by UN Special Envoy for Yemen Ismaïl Ould Cheikh Ahmed and the efforts exerted by the countries sponsoring the political transition in Yemen.”

On Cheikh Ahmed’s latest proposal, Iryani said the Yemeni government backs any effort for peace and any attempt to end the coup and the war.

“The Houthis are seeking to control power and resources through the force of arms to implement a clear regional policy,” he told his interviewer.

“We have always stressed that the solution to a peace agreement is the insurgents’ recognition of the legitimacy represented by President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi,” the minister said.

Aden serves as a temporary base for the Hadi government as the capital Sana’a has been held by Iranian-backed Houthis since September 2014.