Saudi Arabia’s peace plan aimed at ending the Yemen war portrays how serious the kingdom is in supporting the country’s UN-led political process, according to experts and officials.
On Monday the kingdom proposed a nationwide ceasefire, the reopening of Sanaa airport to selected destinations, the resumption of talks between Yemen's warring sides, allowing additional fuel and commodities to enter Hodeidah port and supporting efforts of reconstruction and aid to the country.
It was welcomed by the international community, who urged all sides to work towards ending the six-year conflict. But the rebels appeared to reject the proposal almost immediately, saying it would not countenance talks until Saudi Arabia brings its military campaign to a complete halt.
Peter Salisbury, senior Yemen analyst at the International Crisis Group, said the Saudi proposal is essentially a new take on an idea that was presented a year ago.
“The announcement more than anything signals clear Saudi support for a version of an initiative that has been under discussion for more than a year, first under the UN, more recently with the US playing an assertive role,” Mr Salisbury said.
“This isn’t a new initiative, it’s a new spin on a year old one,” he said, adding that peace negotiations are likely to be on the table.
The proposal put forward by the kingdom is aimed at pressuring the Houthis.
“We're in a period where the parties are using all tools at their disposal to improve their bargaining position,” he said.
Saudi Arabia said the initiative is pending acceptance by both the Houthi rebels and Yemen's internationally recognised government.
A Yemeni government official said the proposal complements the international community’s efforts aimed at ending the war.
"The Government of Yemen knows that ending the suffering of Yemenis ending the coup and conflict sparked by the Houthis," the official told The National.
“Efforts to achieving peace will be based on three references which are implementing UN resolution 2216, restoring the state and rejecting Iran’s destructive influence,” he said.
Stockholm agreement
The initiative was first announced in December 2018 in Stockholm after the government and the Iran-backed rebels signed the deal which was brokered by the UN special envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths.
Some of the elements of Saudi Arabia’s new plan were already agreed in Stockholm.
They include agreements on a prisoner swap, a ceasefire and troop withdrawal from the Red Port city of Hodeidah, and the formation of a committee to negotiate the future of Taez city.
But major delays caused by the Houthis arguing over the detail of the agreement have prevented major aspects being implemented.
Reports suggested that breaches of the agreement by the Houthis had pushed the government to re-examine its position.
Peace talks have been based on UN Security Council resolution 2216 which calls for the Houthis to withdraw from areas they seized since 2014 and hand heavy weapons back to the government.
Yemen has been mired in conflict since the Houthis ousted the internationally recognised government in the capital, Sanaa, in late 2014.
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Simran
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi
Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.
Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en
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Navdeep Suri, India's Ambassador to the UAE
There has been a longstanding need from the Indian community to have a religious premises where they can practise their beliefs. Currently there is a very, very small temple in Bur Dubai and the community has outgrown this. So this will be a major temple and open to all denominations and a place should reflect India’s diversity.
It fits so well into the UAE’s own commitment to tolerance and pluralism and coming in the year of tolerance gives it that extra dimension.
What we will see on April 20 is the foundation ceremony and we expect a pretty broad cross section of the Indian community to be present, both from the UAE and abroad. The Hindu group that is building the temple will have their holiest leader attending – and we expect very senior representation from the leadership of the UAE.
When the designs were taken to the leadership, there were two clear options. There was a New Jersey model with a rectangular structure with the temple recessed inside so it was not too visible from the outside and another was the Neasden temple in London with the spires in its classical shape. And they said: look we said we wanted a temple so it should look like a temple. So this should be a classical style temple in all its glory.
It is beautifully located - 30 minutes outside of Abu Dhabi and barely 45 minutes to Dubai so it serves the needs of both communities.
This is going to be the big temple where I expect people to come from across the country at major festivals and occasions.
It is hugely important – it will take a couple of years to complete given the scale. It is going to be remarkable and will contribute something not just to the landscape in terms of visual architecture but also to the ethos. Here will be a real representation of UAE’s pluralism.
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