Yemenis Should Decide Own Fate: Iranian FM
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The final decision about the fate of Yemen must be made by the Yemeni people themselves, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian stated, reiterating the Islamic Republic’s support for peace, stability and security in the Arab country.
In a meeting with UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg, held in Tehran on Sunday, Amirabdollahian emphasized that the fate of Yemen should be determined by the country’s people.
“The Islamic Republic of Iran wants peace, stability and security for the great nation of Yemen and believes that stability and security of this country have a direct impact on stability and security of the region and the Persian Gulf,” he said.
Amirabdollahian added that the continuation of the status quo, which has been in place following the establishment of a UN-brokered ceasefire in April, hinges on the complete removal of the blockade imposed by the Saudi-led coalition on the war-torn country.
"No one can remain indifferent to the fate of 20 million Yemeni women, children and men, who are living in difficult conditions (trying) to meet basic needs such as medicine, food and water," he added, Press TV reported.
The foreign minister also hailed the efforts by the UN envoy to promote peace in Yemen, but criticized acts of sabotage impeding the implementation of the ceasefire agreement, stressing the importance of lifting the tight Saudi-led blockade on the impoverished country.
Grundberg, for his part, commended Iran's constructive measures vis- -vis peace promotion in Yemen and said he has always sought to establish truce in the country since he took office.
The UN envoy emphasized that all the sides must take steps to help establish lasting ceasefire in Yemen.
The UN-brokered truce between the aggressor coalition and Yemen's popular resistance Houthi Ansarullah movement first came into effect in April. The truce has since been extended twice.
Last month, Grundberg said that the extension, running from August 2 to October 2, included a commitment from the parties to intensify negotiations to reach an expanded truce agreement as soon as possible.
