By Nawab Khan
BRUSSELS, July 29 (KUNA) -- The European Union, together with the other international partners present in Kuwait, continue to support the efforts of the UN Special Envoy in pursuing negotiations among the Yemeni parties, an EU spokesperson said here Friday, in comments made exclusively to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA.) "We understand that the UN Special Envoy is currently undertaking consultations on the way forward in the negotiations," said the spokesperson, who asked not mention his name.
"The Houthis, the General Popular Congress (GPC), and their allies signed, on July 28 2016 (Thursday), an agreement establishing a political council with broad executive and legislative powers, which contravenes their commitments to the UN-facilitated peace talks. The Houthis, GPC and other Yemeni parties should refrain from unilateral actions contravening violating the GCC Initiative and UN Security Council Resolutions, in particular Resolution 2216, as these actions further undermine chances for a lasting and inclusive political settlement in Yemen," said the spokesperson.
"As we are witnessing an intensification of the conflict in recent days, it is particularly important at this critical juncture that all parties to the conflict engage in good faith towards difficult compromises without provocations," stressed the spokesperson in comments made to KUNA. "An inclusive negotiated political settlement in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions is the only way to restore state authority, enabling in particular decisive action against terrorist groups and the provision of much-needed assistance to alleviate the suffering of millions of Yemenis," added the spokesperson.
The inter-Yemeni conciliation consultations resumed in Kuwait, on Thursday, under chairmanship of the UN envoy for the Yemeni crisis Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, who met with Kuwait Acting Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah and a number of ambassadors, discussing the Yemeni file.
The talks are focusing on key issues namely fighting cessation, activating work of the pacification committee and other commissions, forming a military council to be tasked with overseeing gunmen's withdrawal, guns' handover and opening safe passages for delivering humanitarian aid to civilians in need.
However, the political process faced yet a new major snag, with Ansarullah and the GPC announcing formation of what they viewed as a leading body. The step prompted the international trouble-shooter, Cheikh Ahmed, to denounce it as a "strong violation of the UN Security Council Resolution 2216." In a statement, he called on the Yemeni parties, especially the Ansarullah, to avoid taking such unilateral measures which may undermine the political transition in Yemen.
The agreement on forming a political council with wide political, military, security, economic, administrative and social powers contravenes commitments provided by Ansarullah and the GPC to support the UN-led peace process. The announcement of unilateral governing arrangements is not in line with the peace process and endangers the substantial progress made during the Kuwait talks, the envoy said, He added that the agreement breaches clearly Yemen's constitution, and the provisions of the GCC initiative and its implementation mechanisms.
Early on Thursday, the Ansarullah movement announced formation of the political council, described by the internationally-recognized government of Yemen as a "new coup against legitimacy." nk.rk