UN never to let down Yemenis - envoy

KUWAIT, May 26 (KUNA) -- The UN has not, and will never, let Yemenis down, and will carry on with its efforts to push the Yemeni stakeholders involved in Kuwait consultations toward a peaceful solution to the crisis at home.
The UN Special Envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed made the statement in a press conference on Thursday.
He urged the Yemeni warring parties to assume their responsibility toward the Yemeni people, saying the country is crossroads, which prompts rapid measures to save the security, economic and humanitarian situations there.
In addition, he called them to offer concessions for the sake of the Yemeni people, hoping that with the advent of the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, fresh steps will be taken to end their sufferings and to release detainees, besides consolidating ceasefire.
Basically, no time frame has been set for the Kuwait talks that kicked off on April 21, as the element could be used a pressure paper, Ould Cheikh Ahmed said in a reply to a question.
Time is not the major element in the equation as "fatal decisions require pondering and full and detailed studies," so as to be comprehensive, he said, noting that the "tragedy in Yemen has to end as soon as possible." The parties represented in the Kuwait talks, the Yemeni government, General People's Congress and Ansarullah movement, have to double efforts to reach a peaceful settlement," he said.
On the conditions in Yemen, the envoy said that the conflict had undermined the economy and the major ingredients for state institutions, warning against further deterioration unless fast procedures are taken.
Over the past week, the Yemeni currency has been sharply fallen, as the shortage of liquidity and resources in the state treasury aggravated the economic plight, he said. This will no doubt impact the social and humanitarian situations, Ould Cheikh Ahmed noted that he had presented the Yemeni delegations with a proposal for establishing an "economic salvation body" as soon as possible to make swift arrangements "to save what can be saved." Yemen is currently in the "intensive care unit", as the economy is falling apart, the infrastructure is collapsing and the social fiber has been torn, he said, noting that all Yemenis expect a glimpse of hope from the Kuwait talks to restore bring optimism back to the Yemeni scene.
Only those involved in the talks, have the ability to alter the equation, he stressed.
He also urged the Yemeni parties and the international community to relaunch the programs of the relaunch Yemen's Social Welfare Fund that offers direct assistance to the most needy classes of the Yemeni society.
Amid the social dilemma, the UN organizations capitalize on the improvement in security in most Yemeni regions and offer foodstuff, health services, drinking water and medicines.
The UN envoy again expressed gratitude to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for warm hospitality.
Ould Cheikh Ahmed pointed to the sincere efforts by Kuwait, Qatar and the UN Secretary General which led the Yemeni government delegation back to the talks, as a direct session was held on Monday in which the negotiating delegations renewed their commitment to carrying on with the talks for concluding a political solution that appeals to all.
The envoy visited Qatar on Sunday and attended the 16th Doha Global Forum as Yemen was featured high on the agenda of the annual event.
He also attended a meeting between the UN chief Ban Ki-moon, the Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani.
Hadi reiterated his government's readiness to work for peace, and removing all obstacles on the way for a peaceful settlement.
Qatar's Sheikh Tamim reaffirmed his country's support to the consultations for concluding permanent peace in Yemen.
In the meantime, a delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Kuwait yesterday invited by the UN envoy, Ould Cheikh Ahmed told today's news conference.
They held separate meetings with the Yemeni delegations on the ICRC role in the process of would-be exchange of POWs.
Also on Wednesday, the envoy took part in a closed-door session for the UN Security Council.
He briefed the 15-member UNSC on the latest outcome of the Kuwait consultations on Yemen and listened to the member states' recommendations. (end) hrz.nma.am.msa