Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Saleh cannot leave Yemen without Saudi approval: GCC official | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
Select Page
Media ID: 55338417
Caption:

A file picture dated 27 February 2013 shows Yemeni former president Ali Abdullah Saleh at a rally of his supporters to mark the first anniversary of his own removal following bloody protests against his 33-year rule, at a public square, in Sana’a, Yemen. (EPA/YAHYA ARHAB)


A file picture dated 27 February 2013 shows Yemeni former president Ali Abdullah Saleh at a rally of his supporters to mark the first anniversary of his own removal following bloody protests against his 33-year rule, at a public square, in Sana'a, Yemen.  (EPA/YAHYA ARHAB)

A file picture dated 27 February 2013 shows Yemeni former president Ali Abdullah Saleh at a rally of his supporters to mark the first anniversary of his own removal following bloody protests against his 33-year rule, at a public square, in Sana’a, Yemen. (EPA/YAHYA ARHAB)

Riyadh, Asharq Al-Awsat—Yemen’s ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh cannot leave the country without the approval of Saudi Arabia, a Gulf official told Asharq Al-Awsat on Thursday. Riyadh remains in full control of Yemen’s airspace and maritime territory following the end of Operation Decisive Storm.

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) official, who spoke to Asharq Al-Awsat on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief the media, said no country would agree to host Saleh without the approval of the UN, denying reports that Yemen’s ex-leader was on his way to either Eretria, Ethiopia or Oman.

The UN Security Council in November imposed a travel ban, among other sanctions, on Saleh accusing him of supporting the Iran-backed Houthi militia that took control of the capital in Sana’a in September.

Saudi Arabia on Tuesday announced the end of a four-week aerial campaign targeting Houthi military positions and Saleh loyalist forces.

Riyadh said that Operation Decisive Storm had achieved its military objectives, announcing the launch of a new diplomatic phase dubbed Operation Restoring Hope. Despite this, coalition members warned that they would maintain control over Yemen’s airspace and seaports and continue to target Houthi fighters.

Saudi-led coalition air strikes targeted Saleh forces in Yemen’s third city of Taiz on Friday. While local and international media also reported air strikes targeting coup forces in the southern port city of Aden.

A deadline set for Saleh and the Houthis to comply with UN Security Council resolution 2216 that requires them to withdraw from areas they have seized and put down their weapons is set to expire on Friday.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon is set to submit a report on the Houthis’ compliance with the resolution to the UN Security Council. The resolution also imposed asset freezes and travel bans on the Shi’ite leader Abdel Malik Al-Houthi and Saleh’s son, Ahmed, who both stand accused of “undermining peace, security and stability” in Yemen.

The GCC official did not rule out “new sanctions by the UN Security Council” if the Houthi militias and Saleh loyalists fail to comply with the resolution.

Meanwhile, preparations in Riyadh are underway to host Yemen’s reconciliation talks, the GCC official affirmed. He dismissed claims that the dialogue, which is set to bring all Yemen’s political factions to negotiate a political settlement, will be transferred to Oman or any other country. It is uncertain whether the Houthis, which is designated as a terrorist organization in Saudi Arabia, will attend the talks.