ADEN, Yemen, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Yemen and Saudi Arabia discussed on Thursday the efforts to revive the peace process with an aim to end the bloody conflict that has plagued Yemen for over eight years.
Girls from families affected by eight years of war and blockade receive free meals provided by a charitable kitchen in the Mseek area on March 23, 2022 in Sana'a, Yemen. (Photo: CFP)
Rashad Al-Alimi, chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), met with Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman in the Saudi capital of Riyadh to discuss the latest developments in the peace process for Yemen, reported the state-run Saba news agency.
They focused on the need for a comprehensive political process guided by the United Nations to end human suffering and restore security, stability, and development in the war-ravaged Yemen, the report said.
The Saudi defense minister affirmed the kingdom's commitment to supporting Yemen and its political leadership, pledging to work toward achieving peace, security and stability in Yemen and to fulfill the aspirations of its people.
A Yemeni government official told Xinhua that the Saudi minister delivered a proposal outlining the Saudi vision for peace in Yemen to the PLC during the meeting.
The official, who asked to remain anonymous, said that "the plan is based on an agreement between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis in Muscat, Oman, and proposes the formation of joint Yemeni negotiation committees within three months to oversee a comprehensive political process in Yemen."
Efforts to reach a political solution to the years-long military conflict in Yemen have been ongoing, with the United Nations trying to broker a peace agreement between the Yemeni warring factions.
However, several previous attempts have failed due to a lack of trust between the parties involved and continued violence on the ground.
A UN-brokered truce that went into effect in April last year provided a glimmer of hope for a peaceful resolution to Yemen's conflict by substantially reducing violence across the country.
However, sporadic armed confrontations resumed in many parts of the country after the expiration of the truce in October last year, shattering hopes for a lasting peace pact.
Yemen has been embroiled in a devastating civil war since 2014, with the Houthis fighting against the internationally-recognized Yemeni government. The Saudi Arabia-led coalition intervened in the conflict in support of the Yemeni government in 2015.
