Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Britain Calls on Houthi, Saleh to Respond to Ould Cheikh’s Plan | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, speaks to reporters upon his arrival at Sanaa airport on a visit to Sanaa, Yemen May 22, 2017. REUTERS/Khaled Abdullah


London– British Ambassador to Yemen Simon Shercliff blamed the Houthis and Ali Abdullah Saleh militias for the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Yemen, calling on them to respond to the efforts of UN Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed and study his proposals carefully.

In remarks to Asharq al-Awsat newspaper, Shercliff urged Houthis’ Ansarallah group and the General People’s Congress to improve the humanitarian conditions that “have worsened because of their actions” and to prioritize the interests of the Yemeni people when discussing possible solutions to the crisis.

“A political solution is the only way out and is not impossible to attain,” the ambassador said, noting that such solution required the constructive participation of all parties without preconditions, calling on all the factions to “sit on the negotiating table immediately to reach an agreement.”

“The situation in Yemen is disastrous, and the country is experiencing the worst humanitarian crisis in the world at this time, so looking for solutions through negotiations is a priority for us,” he stated.

The ambassador went on to say that the humanitarian impact on the Yemeni people was shocking.

“We cannot tolerate the denial of access to necessities such as food and medicine. A large number of Yemenis are also faced with an uncertain future in light of the collapse of the educational system,” he warned.

Asked about the request of Yemeni President Abed Rabbu Mansour Hadi to activate the Friends of Yemen Association, Shercliff said that it was a group of friends and international partners who agreed to help the Yemeni people during the preparations for the National Dialogue Conference.

“Most of these countries and organizations are still helping Yemen in its current crisis,” he stated.

Shercliff stressed the need to respond to the efforts deployed by the UN envoy to Yemen, noting that his country calls on all parties to carefully consider the proposals submitted by Ould Cheikh Ahmed for the sake of the Yemeni people.