US welcomes Yemeni dialogue

United States has welcomed the decision by Yemeni government to hold talks on the country’s future next month. Following the release of a statement by US State Department, spokesperson Victoria Nuland said: “United States commends the country’s President for setting the date of Yemen’s National Dialogue Conference, which is due to begin on March 18.” The statement also said that US hopes the talks will help Yemen implement “the political transition initiative” -  an agreement brokered with the Gulf Cooperation Council and backed by the UN – to help see the country hold national elections by February next year. The National Dialogue Conference is also a requirement of this agreement. "This is a positive development and we commend the leadership of President Hadi and the Preparatory Committee in working with all parties in Yemen to bring about this key element of Yemen’s political transition,” Nuland added. "We urge President Hadi and all Yemeni parties to move expeditiously towards an inclusive, transparent, and constructive Dialogue. Full participation by all segments of Yemeni society – including Southerners, Houthis, women, civil society organisations, youth, rural populations, and others – is essential to address issues fundamental to Yemen’s future," she explained. According to informed sources, in a meeting before the conference was announced the committee organising the event appointed Hadi to preside over the talks, which is expected to determine the future of the country. It is hoped that a new constitution will be drafted to resolve the ongoing political tension in Yemen caused by a Shiite rebellion in the north of the country and a separatist movement in the south. It is unknown whether southern separatist factions, particularly the group led by former South Yemen President Ali Salem al-Beidh, will take part in the conference or whether they will continue to boycott the event. The former president, who led the country before it merged with the north in 1990, is currently living in exile and is accused by Yemeni authorities of receiving Iranian backing to sabotage the transition and the current ruling regime.