RIYADH — The Yemeni government has called on the United Nations to adopt a new approach to force the Iran-backed Houthi militia to abandon the option of war and policy of obstruction in order to put an end to the human tragedy and end the bloodshed in the country. During his meeting on Thursday in Riyadh with the outgoing UN envoy, Yemen's Foreign Minister Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak reiterated the government's firm position in supporting peace efforts and engaging positively with UN initiatives as well as regional and international endeavors to find a political solution the crisis. The Yemeni foreign minister valued the efforts made by Martin Griffiths over the past three years, expressing hope for future cooperation from the UN envoy in his new role as the under-secretary-general and coordinator for humanitarian affairs. Meanwhile, Griffiths stressed that only a political settlement based on negotiations can restore normalcy, end the war, and usher in a just and sustainable peace for all Yemenis. Mubarak's meeting with the UN envoy comes as international efforts — led by the United States and the United Kingdom have intensified — have intensified to find a political solution to the Yemeni crisis. Earlier in the day, the Yemeni foreign minister met with US Envoy to Yemen Tim Lenderking to discuss peace efforts aimed at alleviating the humanitarian suffering of the Yemeni people. Mubarak pointed out that the Houthi militia's continued attacks on Marib by ballistic rockets undermine international efforts for peace and prove that the militia only believes in death and destruction. He touched upon the latest developments with regard to the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement, underlining the significance of its military and security aspects for the development and reconstruction works. During the meeting, Lenderking reiterated the US position that there is no military solution to Yemen's crisis. The US envoy denounced the Houthi militia's continuous attacks on civilians and held them responsible for the failed efforts to realize peace and stop the bloodshed in Yemen. He renewed his country's firm support for the internationally recognized government of Yemen and the country's unity, security and stability. Lenderking later met with Yemeni Prime Minister Ma'een Abdulmalik. They discussed the latest peace efforts to bring about peace in Yemen. PM Abdulmalik expressed Yemen's appreciation for the US administration's support for his government and people. He described the recent US sanctions on the entities, which used to fund Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF) and the Houthis in Yemen as a positive step toward securing peace. Ma'een reiterated the Yemeni government's support for the US envoy and the UN's efforts to end the crisis in Yemen. The US envoy also met with UK Ambassador to Michael Aron in Riyadh. They discussed the need for compromise from all sides to advance the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement and empower the government to meet the needs of Yemenis. Separately, the UK ambassador met on Thursday with Yemeni PM Abdulmalik. They discussed bilateral relations, international efforts for peace in Yemen and the Houthi obstruction of all UN and international peace initiatives and attempts to resume the political track. During the meeting, the Yemeni premier said that the international community faces a true challenge represented by the Houthi apathy and rejection of all peace initiatives, including hindering the access of the UN inspection team to prevent a looming environmental disaster in the Red Sea. The British ambassador reaffirmed the UK's position against repeated Houthi attacks on civilians and stressed the need to seriously interact with UN and international peace efforts. Aron lauded Saudi Arabia's role in finalizing the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement. Earlier in the day, the UK ambassador met with Yemen's Foreign Minister Ahmed Awad Bin Mubarak to discuss political developments and ongoing efforts to achieve peace in the war-hit country. Aron also had a meeting with a delegation of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) headed by Dr. Nasser Al-Khobaji. During the meeting, the British envoy welcomed progress in the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement. He also welcomed the commitment of both sides to end mutual provocation and address the economic suffering of the people. Aron condemned the recent terrorist attack in Zinjibar which resulted in the tragic death of 8 members of the STC.
