[12/06/2018 03:20]

NY-SABA
The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has confirmed that his special envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths is fully supported to broker a permanent political settlement to the Yemeni crisis based on the three constant terms of reference; the GCC Initiative, the outcomes of Yemen's National Dialogue and the UN Security Council's relevant resolutions especially resolution no. 216.

Guterres made the remarks during a meeting with Yemen's newly appointed Foreign Minister Khaled Hussein Alyemany to bid him farewell after the expiry of his tenure as a permanent representative of Yemen to the UN.

As per the three references, the Houthi rebels are required to withdraw from cities, hand over arms including missiles and abide by any political arrangements that aim to restore security and stability to Yemen.

Alyemany affirmed that the government will always be open for a permanent peace deal that may end the violence and cut off Iran's expansionist hand in Yemen and the region.

He said that the government welcomes the general framework of Griffiths' peace proposals including proposal for resolving the Hodeida seaport issue as presented during Griffiths' meeting with President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

He said that the government had previously agreed to the same proposals when presented by the ex-envoy and still agrees to it now despite the de facto changes that have occurred in the government's favor since then.
But the government is keen on preserving civilian lives.

Alyemany said that provided that the rebels withdraw from Hodeidah seaport in adherence, the proposals can form an initial step to build mutual trust in the lead-up to a permanent peace.

He said it is high time that Iran stops its interferences in the Yemeni affairs so that suffering of the Yemeni people can come to an end and permanent peace can take place.

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