US, Germany Back Yemen Govt. in Implementing Riyadh Agreement

The United States and Germany underlined on Tuesday their support for the Yemeni government as it seeks to implement the Riyadh Agreement that it signed last week with the Southern Transitional Council to end a power struggle in southern Yemen.

Official government sources said US ambassador to Yemen Christopher Henzel stressed that the agreement paves the way for empowering the government to perform its duties and to meet the demands of the Yemeni people in liberated areas.

He added that the agreement is an important step to achieve peace and stability in Yemen.

German Ambassador to Yemen Carola Müller-Holtkemper said that the Riyadh deal is a serious step towards peace in Yemen.

“Germany is closely following up developments in Yemen and it will work with the government and the international community to reach full peace in Yemen,” she said.

Yemeni Prime Minister Dr. Maeen Abdumalik held separate talks with Henzel and Müller-Holtkemper in Riyadh on Tuesday.

The Saba news agency said that during his meeting with Henzel, Abdumalik praised the unwavering US support for his government and Yemen’s unity and territorial integrity against Iran’s malicious destructive policies.

He pointed to Iran’s backing of sectarian militias in the region, adding that Yemen has not and will not be a launchpad for Iranian threats to international navigation and the security of neighboring countries.

“Yemen, with support from the Saudi-led Arab coalition, is determined to defeat the Houthi Iranian plot and complete the mission of restoring the Yemeni state,” the PM said.

During talks with Müller-Holtkemper, the premier said the government should focus “on revitalizing state institutions and improving services and security situations.”

He explained that the government would act in good faith with the Arab coalition to keep up its end of the deal signed with the STC.

“Under the terms of the agreement, the government shall return to its interim seat of Aden and integrate the STC paramilitary forces into the country’s regular armed forces,” he said.