[18/11/2025 05:23]

ADEN – SABA
His Excellency President Dr. Rashad al-Alimi, the Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council, received Tuesday, along with Council member Dr. Abdullah al-Alimi at Maasheeq Palace UK Minister of State for Middle East and North Africa Affairs Hamesh Falukner, in the first visit by a British minister in nearly seven years.

The meeting addressed bilateral relations between the two countries, local developments, international efforts to secure maritime routes, as well as violations committed by the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist militia and its cross-border threats.

His Excellency the President praised the United Kingdom’s support for the humanitarian response plan, the Coast Guard capacity-building programs and the UK’s position as the penholder at the Security Council in support of the Yemeni people and their aspirations to restore state institutions, security, stability and peace.

The President briefed the British Minister on national developments and the economic reforms being implemented by the government and the Central Bank, as well as the international support needed to build on the progress achieved in this regard, including the resumption of IMF and World Bank financing and that of donor funds and institutions.

His Excellency also expressed his appreciation for the role of the brothers in the Arab Coalition to Support Legitimacy, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, in achieving the recorded economic gains, maintaining the cohesion of state institutions and continuing to fulfill their essential commitments.

The President affirmed the unity of the Presidential Leadership Council regarding the priorities of the transitional phase, led by ending the Houthi terrorist threat, restoring state institutions, and maintaining close partnership with the international community in protecting global peace and security.

The meeting also discussed the report of the UN Panel of Experts and its revelations regarding cross-border smuggling networks and the explicit Houthi collaboration with terrorist groups in Yemen and the region.

In this context, the President called for doubling the UK’s role in curbing the flow of Iranian weapons, strengthening the deterrent sanctions regime against Houthi violations, and drying up their sources of funding.

The Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council reaffirmed the Council’s and the government’s commitment to a comprehensive and sustainable peace approach in accordance with nationally, regionally, and internationally agreed upon references—especially Resolution 2216—in a way that ensures the state’s exclusive control of weapons, prevents rewarding militias, and ensures they do not evade accountability.

The President noted that the belief that the Houthi militia will halt its threats to international interests merely with the end of the war in Gaza is mistaken, as the Houthi agenda has become part of a broader Iranian strategy to blackmail the world.

For his part, UK Minister of State Hamesh Falukner affirmed his country’s commitment to supporting the Presidential Leadership Council and the government, and their efforts to improve the livelihoods of the Yemeni people.

He also affirmed the United Kingdom’s support for UN efforts to revive the political process and move forward in strengthening the capabilities of the Yemeni Coast Guard.

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