UN chief Antonio Guterres endorses Riyadh’s peace plan for Yemen
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres urged Yemen’s warring sides to seize an opportunity for peace presented by Saudi Arabia.
Riyadh announced a peace plan on Sunday that called for a nationwide ceasefire, the reopening of Sanaa airport, the resumption of talks between Yemen’s warring sides, the entry of additional fuel and commodities to Hodeidah port and support for reconstruction and aid work in the country.
“The Secretary General urges the parties to seize this opportunity and work with his special envoy, Martin Griffiths, on the way forward in good faith and without preconditions,” Mr Guterres said.
“He reiterates that all actors and stakeholders must do their utmost to facilitate an immediate agreement that brings Yemen back to a path towards peace.”
Yemen has been mired in conflict since 2014.
Mr Guterres expressed his thanks to the kingdom for its support for the UN efforts.
Saudi Arabia’s peace plan was welcomed by the international community, which urged all sides to work towards ending the six-year conflict.
But the Houthi rebels appeared to reject the proposal almost immediately, saying it would not countenance talks until the kingdom brought its military campaign to a halt.
UN mediation efforts looked hopeful in December 2018, with an agreement reached in Stockholm for ceasefires in the city of Hodeidah and two other ports, Salif and Ras Issa, and a successful prisoner exchange.
But major delays caused by the Houthis arguing over the detail of the deal prevented the introduction of key aspects.
Some elements of Saudi Arabia’s new plan had already been agreed to in Stockholm.
“What practically needs to happen next is that the parties discuss and agree on these elements,” a UN official said.
Discussions with all parties, including the Houthis, continue, as do international and regional efforts, the official said.
Saudi Arabia’s plan also stipulates that taxes and fees from Hodeidah port be put into a joint account in Yemen’s Central Bank that both the government and the Iranian-backed rebels would be able to access.