NEW YORK, Jan 28 (KUNA) -- The UN Security Council adopted a resolution extending the final mandate of the United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement in Yemen (UNMHA) until March 31.
Resolution 2813, drafted by the United Kingdom, received 13 votes in favor, with Russia and China abstaining during Tuesday evening's vote.
The resolution requests UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to prepare a transition and liquidation plan for the mission.
It calls for transferring remaining tasks to the UN Special Envoy's Office for Yemen and ensuring an orderly and safe withdrawal of personnel and assets.
Following adoption, UK representative Archie Young voiced hope for an orderly and sustainable transfer of the mission's remaining responsibilities and tasks to the Office of the UN Special Envoy for Yemen.
Young welcomed continued Security Council commitment to the Hodeidah and Stockholm agreements, affirming support for the Special Envoy's efforts to facilitate Yemen's peace process under UN auspices.
Russian Deputy Permanent Representative Anna Evstigneeva said UNMHA has played an important role since its establishment in promoting stability, monitoring implementation of the Stockholm Agreement, and helping preserve the civilian nature of Yemeni ports.
She added that while the Council should focus on creating conditions for inclusive Yemeni dialogue, liquidating one of the few remaining UN presences in the country is unlikely to facilitate that goal.
Chinese Ambassador to the UN Fu Cong urged the Council to carefully consider the situation in Hodeidah to avoid a hasty withdrawal that could destabilize the fragile situation and spark renewed conflict.
Fu noted that over the past seven years the UN mission maintained contacts with both parties, actively monitored the ceasefire, and conducted humanitarian activities.
Established in 2019, UNMHA has supported implementation of the Hodeidah Agreement covering Hodeidah city and the ports of Hodeidah, Salif, and Ras Issa under the Stockholm Agreement signed on December 13, 2018. (end) ast.aai