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Destruction Cost by Houthi Rebels Amounts to $15 Billion | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Caption:

Yemenis gather near the rubble of houses near Sanaa Airport on March 31, 2015 which were destroyed by an air strike as Saudi-led coalition warplanes hit Shiite Huthi militia targets across Yemen overnight, targeting the group’s northern stronghold of Saadeh, the capital, Sanaa, and the central town of Yarim, residents and media said. AFP PHOTO / MOHAMMED HUWAIS (Photo credit should read MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images)


Riyadh – Aden – Yemeni Prime Minister Ahmed Obeid bin Daghr said that peace can only be achieved with the withdrawal of Houthi militias from Sana’a and other occupied territories and the handover of arms.

In remarks to reporters following a preparatory workshop on Yemen’s reconstruction, the Yemeni premier said government estimates have shown that $15 billion were needed for the country’s reconstruction.

The preparatory workshop was held on Monday in Riyadh with the participation of representatives from Yemen’s government and legitimate institutions, Gulf Cooperation Council States and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Bin Daghr added that the circumstances have become convenient to talk about reconstruction, adding that his government was keen on maintaining peace efforts as the best means to rebuild the war-torn country.

For his part, GCC Secretary General Abdul Latif Al-Zayani said that the second workshop on Yemen’s reconstruction that is currently being held in Riyadh falls within efforts to achieve sustainable peace in the country.

The secretary general noted that the GCC was exerting all possible efforts to help the Yemeni population, highlighting in this regard the great humanitarian contribution of King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Aids (KSRELIEF) in alleviating the sufferings of the devastated residents.

Al-Zayani noted that the workshop also aims at setting a practical mechanism to facilitate the integration of Yemen’s economy into the GCC economic system.

The preparatory workshop on Yemen’s Post-Conflict Recovery and Reconstruction saw discussions over 11 different issues, including the general framework of development and reconstruction, an evaluation of damages, the current needs and future steps, in addition to economic stability in Yemen and the capacities of national institutions.

Tuesday’s sessions will focus on the role of the civil society and private sector in post-war reconstruction efforts.