[29/07/2026 02:01]

RIYADH - SABA
Dr. Afrah Abdulaziz al-Zouba took today, Wednesday, the constitutional oath before His Excellency President Dr. Rashad a-Alimi, Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) on the occasion of her appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriate.

Following the ceremonies, the President met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, congratulated her on appointment, wishing her all the best in her career.

The President hailed the appointment of al-Zouba as the first woman to hold the foreign affairs portfolio in the country's history, saying" We're looking forward to initiate a new era for Yemeni diplomacy with greater presence and effectiveness in defending the state's interests and enhancing its regional and international standing".

The President emphasized that the current stage requires moving from old-style diplomacy to an energetic and proactive one that leads the international discussion on Yemen, builds partnerships and defends national interests, rather than just reacting or managing ceremonial relations.

The Chairman of the PLC stressed that one of the priorities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the coming period is to establish the national narrative and not allow the Iranian-backed Houthi terrorist militias to fill any potential vacuum or continue fabricating the facts.

It is time for the government to speak with one voice based on international law, documented facts, and Security Council resolution, he stressed,.

The President stated that the responsibility of diplomatic missions in this exceptional period is no longer limited to just representing the state; it now includes doubled tasks, including discrediting the misleading narratives promoted by the Houthi militias over the past years.

The President made it clear that these rogue militias are responsible for destroying the resources of the Yemeni people, including the assets of the national carrier, restricting the travel of millions of Yemenis, and reducing their opportunities for a decent life.

He added that these rebellious militias are chaos-mongers, pose cross-border threats to the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandeb and international waterways. They frequently drag the country into successive crises serving the agenda of the Iranian regime. Meanwhile, the state, with the sincere support from Saudi Arabia, continues to offer initiatives to alleviate suffering, secure travel, and ensure the freedom of local and global trade.

The President urged Yemeni diplomats and ambassadors to ramp up efforts to defend the country's interests.
"Every Yemeni embassy should become a platform for defending the Yemeni Republic and its highest interests and that every ambassador should be a responsible loud voice of the state, able to present the facts, counter misinformation campaigns, strengthen the international community’s trust in the state’s institutions that are UN members, and mobilize all resources in service of the national salvation battle", al- Alimi said.

The Chairman of the PLC praised the strategic partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, stressing that it represents a fundamental pillar for joint collective action supporting Yemen and its people, and a main starting point for efforts to restore state institutions, consolidate security and stability, and alleviate human suffering.

On the other hand, His Excellency blamed the Iranian regime for continuing to use armed militias to destabilize the region, threaten neighboring countries, target waterways and economic facilities, and undermine peace opportunities.

The recent attacks carried out by its arms in the region reflect the continuation of this destructive approach that threatens international security and peace, he remarked.

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