Several countries welcome the Saudi initiative for Yemen‏

Saudi Arabia’s new initiative for achieving peace in Yemen is gaining more support from world states and organizations.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Tuesday welcomed the initiative designed to end the crisis and restart the political process.

Guterres thanked the Kingdom for backing UN peace efforts and called on all actors and stakeholders to “take this opportunity” to “facilitate an immediate agreement that brings Yemen back to a path toward peace.”

“The secretary-general welcomes all steps aimed at bringing the parties closer to a resolution in line with the efforts by his special envoy, Martin Griffiths, to secure a nationwide ceasefire, the re-opening of Sanaa airport, the regular flow of fuel and other commodities into Yemen through Hodeidah port, and move to an inclusive political process to reach a comprehensive negotiated settlement to end the conflict,” said an official statement carried by Guterres’ deputy spokesman, Farhan Haq.

France also welcomed the initiative and applauded the Yemeni government’s decision to engage. It urged the Iran-backed Houthi militias to respond favorably to this proposal so that a process to end the crisis can begin, and end the suffering of the Yemeni people.

It demanded that all Yemeni stakeholders implement a ceasefire and start negotiations to achieve a comprehensive, inclusive political agreement, under the auspices of the UN.

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday that Moscow welcomes the Saudi initiative.

“Moscow calls for an end to the long-standing armed conflict in Yemen, in a manner that guarantees stability and national harmony of the country,” the ministry said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Mauritania’s Foreign Ministry released a statement reiterating demand for an immediate, comprehensive and lasting solution to the crisis based on the Security Council resolution 2216, the outcomes of the Yemeni National Dialogue and the Gulf initiative and its implementation mechanisms.

Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu on Tuesday said that his country welcomes the initiative proposed by Saudi and stressed that Tokyo will support it.

“We ask the Houthis to make an immediate ceasefire and start a dialogue as soon as possible for a political solution,” Motegi said at a press conference in Tokyo.