The Republic of Yemen participated Thursday in the International Conference on Population and Development held in the Kenyan capital Nairobi.

Vice President Ali Mohsen Saleh said he hopes the partnership agreement the government and the Southern Transitional Council signed in Riyadh on November 5 to be a good start that allows for the return of the government to its interim seat of Aden.

Deputy Prime Minister Dr Salim al-Khanbashi praised supportive stances of the Chinese government in support of the Yemeni government and people in different fields. His statement came as he was meeting Thursday with the Chinese Ambassador to Yemen Kang Yong.

The National Program for Demining (NPD) and Saudi Project for Demining in Yemen (MASAM) managed to pull out, dismantle, collect and destroy 850 landmines, unexploded ammunitions and explosive devices.

Minister of Sports Nayef al-Bakri and the US ambassador to Yemen Christopher Henzel discussed the developments in Yemen including the recent signature of a deal between the government and the Southern Transitional Council (STC) to end internal fractures and bloodshed.

Vice President Ali Mohsen Saleh has praised the sacrifices of the people of Taiz in countering the theocratic Houthi militants during the past years but called for allying efforts to accomplish the mission of breaking the years long, strangling siege the militia imposes on the city.