Riyadh: Vice President and Prime Minister of Yemen Khalid Bahah chaired an extraordinary meeting with presidential advisers and members of the internationally recognised government’s delegation to the UN-brokered talks with the Al Houthi militia and forces loyal to ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Bahah reiterated the Yemeni government’s interest in putting an end to the war and welcomed any “serious talks” to stop the killings and destruction and the suffering inflicted on the Yemeni people.

During the meeting, Yemeni government officials discussed ways of reaching a permanent and lasting peace in Yemen based on the provisions of the UN Security Council Resolution 2216, which stipulates an immediate ceasefire and the resumption of a peaceful political process in Yemen. The meeting also called on Al Houthis to vacate government buildings and withdraw their forces from occupied areas.

They stressed the need for the rebels to accept, unconditionally, the implementation of international resolutions on Yemen.

They expressed appreciation of the positive stance adopted by Saudi-led Arab coalition in support of Yemen as well as its members’ efforts to restore security and stability.

The Yemeni officials also praised the coalition members’ humanitarian and developmental aid to the liberated Yemeni governorates where the brutal war being waged by the militias has wreaked havoc.

Meanwhile, Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi was briefed by military commanders about the developments in Taiz governorate and the combat readiness of government forces and affiliate popular resistance forces for liberating the governorate from the Al Houthi militia and forces loyal to Saleh.

During a phone call with Deputy Chairman of the Military Council and Commander of the Western Front, Brigadier Yousuf Al Sharraji, Hadi praised the heroism of the pro-government forces in the fight against Al Houthis and lauded their determination to protect the security, stability, dignity and honour of the governorate.

He noted that the militias murdered innocent people and bombed houses, schools, hospitals, and terrorised women and children.

The president stressed the need to stand up tothe militias and defeat them so that residents of the governorates can enjoy peace, stability and safety.

The Yemeni president urged the residents of Taiz governorate to close their ranks and back the national army and resistance forces on all fronts to cleanse the city of the militants.

Brigadier Al Sharraji stressed that the national army and resistance forces continue to carry out military operations on all fronts.

He praised Hadi for visiting military posts and directly supervising and backing the army in various governorates.

The commander described the return of the Yemeni president to Yemen as a triumph for legitimacy and a major shift in the military operations and the political process.

His return, Al Sharraji noted, was a morale booster for the government army and the popular resistance.

Gulf News