Barran Press
On Sunday, December 1, 2024, leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) urged a decisive response to Houthi actions that contradict the United Nations and regional efforts to establish peace in Yemen. This call was made in the final statement of the 45th summit of the GCC, held today in Kuwait, as reported by the Yemeni news agency Saba.
The GCC expressed deep concern over the ongoing developments in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, emphasizing the need to de-escalate tensions to maintain security and stability in the region and uphold the right to maritime navigation according to international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea of 1982.
The council condemned continued foreign interference in Yemen's internal affairs, including the smuggling of military experts and weapons to the Houthi group, in clear violation of UN Security Council Resolutions 2216, 2231, and 2624.
The statement reiterated full support for the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, headed by Rashad Al-Alimi, in achieving security and stability in Yemen, and in reaching a comprehensive political solution in accordance with the Gulf Initiative, its executive mechanism, the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference, and Security Council Resolution 2216, which uphold Yemen's sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity, and independence.
The GCC welcomed the continued sincere efforts of Saudi Arabia and Oman, along with ongoing communications with all Yemeni parties, to revive the political process aimed at achieving a comprehensive and sustainable political solution in Yemen. The council stressed the importance of the Houthi group engaging positively with international and UN efforts to end the Yemeni crisis and seriously addressing peace initiatives to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people.
The council commended the Yemeni government's commitment to renewing the humanitarian truce announced by the UN and reiterated its support for the UN and its special envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, in reaching a comprehensive political solution based on the three references.
The joint statement also welcomed the UN envoy's announcement of a positive agreement between Yemeni parties to de-escalate issues related to the banking sector and Yemen Airways, reaffirming support for all efforts aimed at achieving peace and security for Yemen and its people.
The council urged Yemeni parties to fully implement the set of measures announced by the UN envoy on December 23, 2023, including a nationwide ceasefire, measures to improve living conditions, and preparations for resuming an inclusive political process under UN auspices.
Finally, the GCC praised the outcomes of the joint technical committee meetings to identify the developmental needs of Yemen, involving Yemen and GCC states, as well as national and regional development funds. It acknowledged Saudi Arabia's deposit of $250 million as the third tranche of support for the Yemeni government's budget deficit and for covering salaries, operational costs, and food security, part of a total support package of $1.2 billion aimed at supporting Yemen's economic reforms.
The council also called on the Houthi group, listed as a terrorist organization, to immediately release all detained UN employees, as well as personnel from the US Embassy, international organizations, and other diplomatic missions, citing violations of international legal standards and diplomatic norms.