Originally posted on The Middle East Monitor, April 12, 2021
Oman’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Badr Al-Busaidi, yesterday received a delegation from neighbouring Yemen’s Houthi movement.
The delegation was headed by the group’s official spokesperson, Mohammed Abdulsalam, who tweeted that they discussed “the political situation in Yemen, the negotiation process and the ongoing discussion with the international community.”
التقينا ظهر اليوم بمعالي السيد بدر بن حمد بن حمود البوسعيدي وزير الخارجية العماني / ناقشنا خلاله الوضع السياسي في اليمن ومسار التفاوض والنقاش الجاري مع المجتمع الدولي مثمنين دور السلطنة في دعم السلام في اليمن والحد من معاناته الانسانية.
— محمد عبدالسلام (@abdusalamsalah) April 11, 2021
He also praised the sultanate over its “role in supporting peace in Yemen and curbing its humanitarian suffering”.
استقبل معالي @badralbusaidi وزير الخارجية ظهر اليوم الناطق الرسمي لجماعة أنصار الله الحوثيين محمد عبدالسلام. تم خلال اللقاء استعراض الجهود المبذولة لوقف الحرب في اليمن الشقيق، والتأكيد على أهمية التوصل لحل سياسي بين كافة الأطراف بما يعزز الأمن والاستقرار.
— وزارة الخارجية (@FMofOman) April 11, 2021
According to a statement issued by Oman’s Ministry of Foreign, officials “reviewed the efforts exerted to stop the war in Yemen, and emphasised the importance of reaching a political solution between all parties in a way that enhances security and stability.”
Oman pursues an established neutral foreign policy and maintains good relations with Saudi Arabia, Iran, and the Houthi-led government based in Sanaa. Muscat also acts as a mediator in ceasefire talks between Riyadh and Sanaa.
Late last month, the Omani state news agency ONA reported: “The sultanate hopes that these contacts will achieve the desired result very soon, in order to restore security and stability to brotherly Yemen and preserve the security and interests of the countries in the region.”
Although the UN is hoping Omani efforts will pave the way for the Houthis to accept Saudi’s so-called peace initiative, officials in the movement do not believe Riyadh is serious about its proposal and demand the complete lifting of the blockade imposed on Sanaa airport and Hudaydah port before negotiations can begin.
https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20210412-oman-fm-discusses-yemen-situation-with-houthi-spokesman/
