On Wednesday, Norway’s Foreign Minister Ine Eriksen Søreide welcomed Saudi Arabia’s announcement on Yemen. On Monday, Saudi Arabia announced it would present a plan for an UN-monitored ceasefire with the Houthis in Yemen.
“Norway welcomes the Saudi announcement expressing readiness for a nationwide ceasefire and a comprehensive political solution in Yemen,” Søreide said.
“This is in line with the UN proposal. We call on all parties to engage in unconditional talks to end the suffering of the Yemeni people,” the Minister said.
According to Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan, the plan means that the main airport in the capital Sana will reopen.
He said the ceasefire could be implemented immediately if the Houthis accept it.
“Nothing new”
But the Houthis’ first reaction was that there is nothing new in the plan. They said that the air and sea blockade of the country must be lifted first.
“Saudi Arabia must declare an end to the aggression and lift the blockade completely.
“Presenting ideas that have been discussed for a year is nothing new,” Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam told the rebels’ TV channel Al-Masirah.
The war in Yemen has triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. Yemen is the poorest country in the Arab world.
Source: © NTB Scanpix / Ministry of Foreign Affairs / #Norway Today / #NorwayTodayNews
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