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U.N. Envoy Meets with Yemeni President | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen. U.N. Photo/Jean-Marc Ferré


Aden – U.N. Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed held talks with Yemen’s President Abed Rabbu Mansour Hadi on Monday to discuss the reestablishment of ceasefire and political talks to end the nearly two-year war.

Informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that during the meeting a new peace treaty was discussed after government officials rejected the previous road-map proposed by the envoy. But primarily, the two discussed means to revive peace prospects in Yemen.

During his meeting with the President, the U.N. envoy confirmed that the base of the solution in Yemen is the Gulf initiative and the national dialogue, according to the sources.

He stressed that there will only be one central bank and financial institution under the control of the legitimacy government.

Meanwhile, other official sources said that President Hadi had informed the Envoy of Yemeni people’s will to establish peace. The president was also showed willingness to cooperate to achieve the best for the people.

In addition, the two discussed the government’s notes on the previous roadmap which the president considered the essence of bringing the peace train back on tracks. Although, the president stressed, that the government and international community are aware that insurgents do not want peace and are acting in proxy of other countries.

Saba state-news agency reported that Ould Cheikh was glad to have met the president in the temporary capital and appreciated his efforts to restore peace.

“Yemen’s political elites have a responsibility to shield people from further harm, protect their country’s future and commit to a peaceful settlement,” he continued.

Ould Cheikh said that the world is looking forward to achieving peace for what is best for the Yemeni people through preparing for the peace committees. He stressed that the international community is keen on achieving peace in Yemen according to the references of Gulf initiative, the national dialogue and U.N. Resolutions.

The envoy has been holding talks in the Gulf in recent weeks, including in Riyadh, where he met with Yemen’s central bank governor to ease a cash crisis in rebel-held areas.

This comes as loyalist forces close on the harbor of the Red Sea as part of their operation “Golden Spear”, launched ten days. The goal is to drive Houthis out of Yemen’s entire Red Sea coast, which stretches some 450 Km.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, some Yemeni sources expressed their fears that Ould Chiekh’s visit might be in an attempt to deter the progress the legitimacy forces have achieved so far.

The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, added that victory is just around the corner, and every time the insurgency sense defeat, they resort to the U.N. envoy.

An official close to the matter at the U.S embassy in Yemen stressed that they supported Ould Cheikh’s efforts. The official, who preferred to remain unnamed, told Asharq Al-Awsat that the U.S. supports the U.N.’s efforts to end the war in Yemen and reestablish negotiations between warring parties.

The official added that these efforts could open the passage for the delivering humanitarian aid; especially that now U.S. had increased its aid to Yemeni people to $76 million.