Sanaa, 24 January 2022 (TDI): The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, concluded a visit to Riyadh on Thursday. He, through his Twitter account, pointed out the UN and Yemen’s efforts to reach a political resolution regarding the civil war.
UN Special Envoy and Saudi Deputy Minister Meeting Remarks
In this way, Prince Khalid Bin Salman declared that he had met with Grundberg and discussed the latest developments in Yemen and the United Nations. Therefore, the Saudi Deputy Minister of Defense stressed the determination of the Coalition led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to achieve security and stability in Yemen.
In his visit, Grundberg met with Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmed bin Mubarak. In addition to Gulf Cooperation Council Secretary-General Nayef Al-Hajraf, as well as other Saudi officials and Yemeni interlocutors.
Besides that, UN Envoy Grundberg also held in-depth discussions with the five permanent members of the Security Council. In which he denounced the recent wave of military escalation in Yemen that included massive airstrikes on Sana’a.
Likewise, he mentioned that these armed attacks are happening too all across the border into the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. That is why he expressed his deep concern about the impact of this escalation on the prospects for peace in Yemen. Not to mention the lives and livelihoods of civilians affected.
Apart from that, Grundberg exchanged views on possible options to achieve an immediate de-escalation and to pave the way for inclusive political talks.
UN Special Envoy for Yemen addressed key points
Similarly, the UN Special Envoy declared that airstrikes, missiles, and drones continue to claim civilian lives and damage civilian infrastructure in Yemen. He also pointed out the importance to create awareness regarding a comprehensive political solution to not exacerbate the humanitarian suffering in Yemen.
Thus, Grundberg continues to engage closely with all parties, urging them to exercise maximum restraint and respect their obligations under international humanitarian law. He also called on the warring parties to engage constructively with his office to facilitate an immediate de-escalation of violence.
Finally, this meeting comes after Prince Khalid Bin Salman declared that KSA and the Arab Gulf states seek to integrate Yemen within the Gulf system. Therefore its people can dwell in security, stability, and development like the other Gulf nations.
BA Candidate in International Relations and International Business at Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola (Peru) and San Ignacio University (USA). Interested in international security and policy affairs.
