Yemen govt urges UN envoy to work on new road map

The Yemeni government announced on Friday that it can accept the UN envoy’s peace plan only if it takes into consideration three key issues: The UN Security Council Resolution 2216; the GCC initiative and the outcome of the Yemeni national dialogue.
Abdulmalek Al-Mekhlafi, Yemeni deputy prime minister and foreign minister, stressed the need for UN envoy Ismail Oul Cheikh Ahmed to work on developing a new road map that takes into account the terms of reference and other points agreed upon during previous negotiations in Switzerland and Kuwait. 
“This is essential for Yemen to enjoy real and sustainable peace,” he said.
During his talks with Vladimir Didoshkin, Russian ambassador to Yemen, and Katsuhiko Hayashi, Japan’s ambassador to Yemen, the minister confirmed the legitimate government’s rejection of the UN envoy’s road map, which is not based on the agreed upon outcomes of the Gulf initiative, the National Dialogue Conference and the UN Security Council Resolution 2216.
The Yemeni government’s official media said the foreign minister discussed bilateral relations and the latest developments in Yemen with the ambassadors. The talks also focused on the road map, which was rejected by the Yemeni government.
The minister praised the support of the two countries for Yemen and its legitimate government.
He thanked the Japanese government for granting Yemen 470 million yen ($6.5 million) in food aid through the World Food Program. 
The Russian ambassador said his government has approved the provision of urgent aid worth $3 million to Yemen.
Ould Cheikh Ahmed faced yet another failure last week when Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and other Yemeni officials rejected a meeting with him in Riyadh.
The UN envoy left Riyadh for New York after spending three days in Riyadh, during which he met with Deputy Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and the ambassadors of 18 countries that sponsor the political process in Yemen.
This coincided with the continuation of military operations in several fronts in Yemen, most notably in Nahm, northeast of Sanaa, where heavy combat took place Thursday as the national army and popular resistance moved toward Yam and Al-Sawdaa’ Mountains after destroying militia positions. 
Coalition aircraft, meanwhile, continued their raids on several militia military bases in Mount Al-Taweel and Bani Hasheesh west of Nahm. They also bombed forces loyal to ousted president Saleh in Wadi Jardan south of Sanaa.
Al-Thawra General Hospital, the largest hospital in Taiz, announced the suspension of many of its outpatient, radiology, and laboratory services due to a lack of financial support for the hospital.
The hospital was now attending only to emergency cases, said its director Ahmed Anaam.
He appealed to concerned officials and international humanitarian organizations to intervene and address the deteriorating health situation in Taiz, resulting from ongoing violations by Houthi militias.
Abdullah Dahan, Yemeni deputy minister of health and housing, said the hospital has been bombed repeatedly, while a blockade by militias of Taiz has prevented the entry of logistical materials.

Source: Arab News