Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Saudi Arabia Playing a Pivotal Role in Brokering Peace for Yemen | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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A file picture taken on January 1, 2013 shows jet fighters of the Saudi Royal air force performing during the graduation ceremony of the 83rd batch of King Faisal Air Academy (KFAA) students at the Riyadh military airport, in the Saudi capital. Saudi warplanes launched strikes on Huthi rebels in Yemen on March 26, 2015, as the kingdom launched a 10-nation coalition to check the rebels’ advance and prevent the fall of Yemen’s embattled President Abedrabbo Mansur Hadi. AFP PHOTO / FAYEZ NURELDINE


Jeddah- Arab and foreigner diplomats hailed the great role played by Saudi Arabia concerning Yemeni peace talks- underway in Kuwait- and on reaching a comprehensive peaceful solution which reflects justly upon the people of Yemen.

Saudi diplomacy played a pivotal function over the past few days in achieving consensus between conflicting Yemeni perspectives, laying forward many proposals and brokering multiple agreements.

At the peak of complex situations, which heightened after the government’s delegation suspending participation, Saudi diplomatic efforts consequently doubled in order to preserve the progress reached so far.

The Yemeni government’s delegation had suspended participation after dispute rising against its previously set requests.

Officials from 18 peace-talks-sponsoring countries have lauded Saudi efforts and the efforts of the U.N. Special Envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed.

Whoever keeps track of regional developments, especially those ongoing in Yemen, realizes that Saudi Arabia had promoted a peaceful solution for the war-torn country and all other embattled regional countries.

Saudi Arabia had launched the Decisive Storm operation which restored authority to Yemen and reinstated Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi into power. Hadi’s return to authority was the factor bringing diplomatic goals urging for a comprehensive peace process.

Yemeni Foreign Minister and head of the government’s delegation at the peace talks Abdul-Malik al-Mekhlafi told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the Decisive Storm was first launched upon the demand of President Hadi. The current cease-fire was also urged by President Hadi, al-Mekhlafi added.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia after all supports the legitimacy-found government and political leadership in Yemen. Moreover, the Kingdom supports peaceful settlements sought by the legitimate government, ceasefire and the return to political processes.

Among the efforts spent by Saudi Arabia, according to FM al-Mekhlafi, is the tremendous support granted to the cease-fire committee at a time which it lacked essential funding. The lack of finances had repressed the committee’s work in multiple Yemeni governorates.

The committee has to monitor the implementation of the cessation of hostilities in Yemen.

We have knocked on international community’s doors to procure funding for the committee, so that it is furnished with necessary equipment and capacities needed to accomplish its duties, said al-Mekhlafi.

Until now, we have not found a single supporter for the committee other than the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia which had taken on the responsibility of financially supporting it, added al-Mekhlafi.

Upon receiving support, the committee will improve its accomplishments exponentially.

FM al-Mekhlafi added that Saudi efforts devoted to the Yemeni peace process, and mediation provided by the Kingdom, working among negotiating parties, is remarkably adding to positive guidance and headway at the discussions.

Not to mention that Saudi Arabia had sent in writing assurances to all Houthis so that they join the negotiations. Agreements which led and influenced the peace talks were Saudi brokered, al-Mekhlafi stressed.