DOHA, May 21 (KUNA) -- Yemeni President Abd-Rabbuh Mansur Hadi announced Saturday that his government delegation will resume participation in the peace talks, being hosted by Kuwait, after receiving assurances from the UN regarding the applicability of the UN Security Council Resolution 2216 to all parties.
He made the announcement during his meeting with Qatari Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the sidelines of the 16th Doha Forum, at Doha Sheraton Hotel this evening.
The meeting dealt with the latest developments of the situation in Yemen and the UN-sponsored peace talks, particularly with regard to the return of Yemen's legitimate government delegation to these talks, according to a QNA report.
The UN Secretary-General thanked the Qatari Amir for using his good offices to persuade the Yemeni president to resume the talks.
Meanwhile, Yemeni Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Abdul-Malik Al-Mikhlafi said there are regional and international guarantees for commitment to the six points of reference of the talks.
He was referring to the UN Security Council Resolution 2216, the GCC initiative for Yemen and its executive mechanisms, the outcomes of the previous rounds of the national dialogue, full recognition by all parties of the legitimate government, the results of the UN-brokered consultations in Biel - Switzerland, and the framework proposed by the UN Special Envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed.
"The decision of the legitimate government to return to the intra-Yemeni peace talks offers a last chance for reaching a peaceful settlement to the conflict," he stressed in press remarks following the meeting.
"The decision delivers a clear message to the Yemeni people and the international community about the seriousness of the government in its quest for peace and stability," Al-Mikhlafi stressed, urging the other Yemeni stakeholders to seize this change for peace-making.
He appreciated the efforts made by Kuwait and Qatar to advance the peace consultations which hit a snag on Tuesday when the government negotiators suspended their participation in protest against the failure of the General People's Congress and Ansarullah movement to comply with the points of reference and security arrangements.
Earlier today Al-Mikhlafi met Qatari Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani to discuss the bilateral ties, besides a number of issues of mutual concern, especially the latest developments of the Yemeni peace consultations. (end) nnd.gb