[22/03/2018 12:01]

RIYADH-SABA

Deputy Premier, Foreign Minister Abdul-Malik Al-Mekhlafi received Thursday evening the UN Secretary General envoy to Yemen Martin Griffith.

Al-Mekhlafi welcomed Mr Griffith, reassuring that Yemeni government is going to support his good offices as it did with his predecessor Ould Sheikh Ahmed.

The Foreign Minister stated that the government is looking forward to work with the UN newly appointed envoy in order to achieve fair and sustainable peace that based on the GCC's Initiative, outcomes of the National Dialogue and UN Security Council resolution 2216.

oreign Minister, the government chief negotiator detailed Mr Griffith on the previous rounds of peace consultations that Houthi rebels repeatedly foiled, cited the Kuwait's talks as case-in-point for the rebels opposition to come to peace.

Al-Mekhlafi also noted that Houthis had rejected all suggestions by the former UN envoy aimed at trust-building and resuming consultations including the topic of salaries, Sana'a airport and Hodeida harbor and detainees.

The Foreign Minister made clear that the government would like to see serious steps toward creating appropriate conditions to engage in comprehensive talks result in sustainable peace. He stated that practical steps need to be taken such as releasing political detainees, abductees and permit humanitarian aids access to all Yemeni.

For his part, the UN envoy affirmed that he would save no effort to reach peace agreement based on the GCC's-brokered deal, outcomes of National Dialogue and International Security Council resolution 2216.

Mr Griffish stated that he would consult with all regional and international influential players about Yemen in order press for taking serious steps to achieve peace.

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