Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Yemen, Mohammed Al-Jaber, said Monday that UN envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths would be responsible for all the arrangements to reopen Sanaa’s airport.
“The initiative of opening the airport is comprehensive and once the Yemeni government and the Houthi militias accept it, the UN envoy will get involved with the parties to set the necessary arrangements and mechanism whether for the ceasefire or the airport opening process and proceed with the Stockholm agreement, according to the agreed upon arrangements,” the Ambassador said.
Al-Jaber was speaking during a press conference held by Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan to announce the Kingdom’s new peace initiative on the war in Yemen.
The initiative includes a nationwide ceasefire and the reopening of air and sea links.
The Saudi ambassador explained that the initiative is a continuation of the Kingdom's efforts in support of peace and stability in Yemen.
He reiterated that Riyadh supports the Yemeni legitimate government.
Regarding Hodeidah port’s revenues, particularly who is in charge and who are the beneficiaries, the Ambassador referred to the Stockholm Agreement.
Supervised by the UN envoy, the deal was held between the Yemeni government and the Houthi militias regarding the customs and tax revenues whereas the two parties have agreed to allow ships to enter without restrictions in a short time. Al-Jaber said as much as 35 billion Yemeni riyals were deposited in the Hodeidah branch of the Central bank.
However, the Houthis have withdrawn the money and spent it on their war efforts.
