Saudi defence minister meets head of Yemen Presidential Leadership Council 

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Defence, Prince Khalid Bin Salman, met with the chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) Rashad Al-Alimi and council members yesterday in Riyadh to discuss the country’s peace process.

The PLC was formed in Riyadh in April 2022 to represent the Saudi-backed, internationally-recognised Yemeni government, after ailing President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi stepped down, transferring his “executive powers” to the council.

According to Asharq Al Awsat, the defence minister met Al-Alimi under the directive of Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman. Prince Khalid conveyed the kingdom’s “support to Yemen in order for its people to enjoy security, stability, and prosperity,” the outlet noted. The two sides discussed developments in Yemen and efforts to support the Yemeni peace process, in addition to regional and international issues of mutual concern.

#Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman meets with the Chairman of the #Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Dr. Rashad Al-Alimi, and members of the Council, and confirms the Kingdom’s encouragement for the Yemeni parties to reach a lasting political solution. pic.twitter.com/McTzw9oscd

— The Saudi Post English (@TheSaudiPost_En) October 19, 2023

Yesterday, Al-Alimi also received UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, in the Saudi capital, who briefed him on the latest developments regarding renewing the truce with the Houthi-aligned armed forces and the resumption of an inclusive political process, under UN auspices.

“A sustainable solution to the conflict in Yemen can only be forged by Yemenis. The parties need to come together with others in an inclusive format to build a peaceful future together. The UN is committed and ready to provide this platform once the parties take the decisive steps that are needed to make this vision a reality,” Grundberg said.

Last month, a Houthi delegation arrived in Riyadh to take part in a five-day round of talks as part of Oman-brokered peace talks with Saudi Arabia aimed at bringing an end to the devastating nine-year war.

READ: Yemen flare-ups jeopardise peace negotiations