Yemeni legislators, who kick-started on Saturday the first parliamentary session since 2014, are spearheading a national push back against the Iran-backed Houthi agenda for further destabilizing the war-ravaged country.
Despite receiving death threats, being attacked by Houthi-flown drones and having their houses raided, lawmakers were resolved on moving forward with the session in Seiyun, the second largest city of Hadramaut.
The country advancing legislative work serves a devastating blow to the Houthis war effort as it threatens to outlaw some of the activities vital to their movement.
Yemeni lawmakers, unruffled in the face of Houthi hostility, arrived at Seiyun with the intentions of making the procedural session a success and to revive the country’s state institutions.
Among the arrivals is Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik, who arrived on Friday accompanied by a host of ministers and officials who will also be attending the extraordinary session.
It is worth noting that holding this session was ordered by the country’s freely-elected and internationally-recognized president of Yemen, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi. As reported by the state news agency, Saba, Abdulmalik will be presenting lawmakers with the 2019 general budget draft for review and approval.
“148 deputies, before of heading to the first parliamentary session, agreed to form the body’s (interim) high committee members with Sultan Al-Barqani appointed as speaker, Mohammad Ali Al-Shaddadi as deputy speaker, and adding members Hussain Boussara and Abdel-Aziz Al-Jabari,” Parliamentary official Mabkhout bin Madi told Asharq Al-Awsat.
The procedural session is headed by Shaddadi, who will read a statement covering achievements made over the past period, clarify on the current standing and agreements, and reaffirm support for and partnership with the Arab Coalition.
The opening session is held in presence of Hadi and 19 foreign ambassadors and officials. It is worth noting that of the 148 lawmakers, some deputies will be participating from the United States, Jordan, and Italy via Skype.
