Yemen Monitor/ Newsroom:
The Supreme Council of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) called on Sunday for a firm stance against the Houthi practices that undermine the United Nations and regional countries’ efforts to achieve peace in Yemen.
In the final statement issued at the conclusion of the 45th session in Kuwait, the Council welcomed the ongoing sincere efforts exerted by Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman, as well as the ongoing communications with all Yemeni parties to revive the political process leading to a comprehensive and sustainable political solution in Yemen.
The statement highlighted the importance of the Houthis’ positive engagement with international and UN efforts aimed at ending the Yemeni crisis and seriously addressing peace initiatives and efforts to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people.
It renewed its support for the efforts of the United Nations and its special envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, to reach a comprehensive political solution in accordance with the three references, commending the Yemeni government’s adherence to renewing the humanitarian truce announced by the United Nations in Yemen.
The Council welcomed the statement issued by the office of the UN envoy regarding reaching a positive agreement between the Yemeni parties to de-escalate tensions regarding the banking sector and Yemenia Airways, and renewed its support for all efforts aimed at achieving peace and security for Yemen and its people, also commending the UN’s efforts in Yemen to continue the existing truce in Yemen since April 2022.
The Council expressed deep concern over the continued developments in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden region and stressed the importance of de-escalation to maintain the security and stability of the region and respect for the freedom of navigation therein in accordance with the provisions of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The Council condemned the continued foreign interference in Yemen’s internal affairs and the smuggling of military experts and weapons to the Houthis in flagrant violation of UN Security Council Resolutions 2216, 2231, and 2624.
The Council called on the Houthi group to immediately release all detainees from among the employees working for the United Nations, the US embassy, international organizations, and other diplomatic missions, considering this a violation of international law and diplomatic norms.
The Council also renewed its full support for the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council and the entities supporting it to achieve security and stability in Yemen and reach a comprehensive political solution in accordance with the Gulf Initiative and its implementation mechanism, the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference, and UN Security Council Resolution 2216.
