As part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to end the conflict and establish peace in the region, the Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations, Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Wasil, participated in a UN Security Council session dedicated to discussing developments in the Republic of Yemen. The Kingdom's statement conveyed highly significant political and security messages, reflecting Riyadh's commitment to Yemen's unity and stability, and addressing the humanitarian, political, and security challenges facing the country.
Supporting legitimacy and the Presidential Leadership Council
In his address, Ambassador Al-Wasel reiterated the Kingdom's unwavering support for the legitimate Yemeni government, represented by His Excellency Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, and its members. He emphasized that this support stems from the Kingdom's belief in the necessity of empowering Yemeni state institutions to extend their authority and achieve security and development, thereby fulfilling the aspirations of the brotherly Yemeni people who have suffered for many years from the ravages of conflict.
A firm stance towards security threats
In discussing emerging security challenges, the Saudi representative expressed the Kingdom's regret over the recent military movements undertaken by the Southern Transitional Council along the Kingdom's southern border, specifically in the governorates of Hadramawt and Al-Mahra. He asserted that these movements constitute a direct threat to Saudi Arabia's national security and undermine efforts to stabilize Yemen and the region as a whole. He emphasized the need to prioritize the greater good and avoid military escalation, which would only derail efforts to restore the state.
Humanitarian breakthrough and initiatives for dialogue
On the humanitarian and confidence-building front, the Kingdom welcomed the agreement signed in the Sultanate of Oman for the exchange of prisoners and detainees. Riyadh affirmed that this step is a fundamental pillar for alleviating the humanitarian suffering of thousands of Yemeni families and paves the way for further political understandings.
Regarding the southern issue, the ambassador revealed that the Kingdom had responded to the request of the President of the Presidential Leadership Council to hold a comprehensive conference in Riyadh. This conference aims to bring together all southern factions at a single negotiating table to discuss just and equitable solutions to the southern issue, reflecting the Kingdom's commitment to unifying the Yemeni ranks and bridging the internal divide.
Regional context and the importance of stability in Yemen
These diplomatic moves are of paramount importance given Yemen's geostrategic location, as its stability is integral to the security of the Gulf region and international navigation in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandab Strait. The Kingdom and the international community recognize that continued security tensions only serve the forces of chaos, thus necessitating concerted international efforts to support a comprehensive peace process.
Al-Wasel concluded his speech by stressing the importance of cooperation between all Yemeni forces and components, and rejecting side disputes, in order to reach a permanent and comprehensive political solution that ends the crisis and restores Yemen to its natural role in its Arab and regional environment.
