Ali Al-Kathiri, Acting President of the Southern Transitional Council and Speaker of the National Assembly, welcomed today, Thursday, the Deputy Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Sarhad Fattah.

He referred to developments in the political, economic and military situation in the south, and the efforts of the United Nations to stop the war, and pave the way for the start of a comprehensive dialogue to bring about just peace.

The meeting discussed the serious repercussions of the economic collapse and the deterioration of services, in light of the cessation of oil exports due to the Iranian-backed Houthi militia’s targeting of export ports and its escalation against maritime shipping lines.

The President of the National Assembly affirmed the openness of the Southern Transitional Council to initiatives aimed at ending the war and establishing comprehensive and sustainable peace, in accordance with a comprehensive political process that accommodates all parties and issues, most notably the issue of the people of the South.

The Council expressed its rejection of the criminal Houthi militias using the economic file as a tool to achieve political goals, calling on the United Nations, the brothers in the Arab coalition and donor countries to help find solutions to the economic conditions in the south.

He said that the economic deterioration has reached a point beyond the ability of citizens to bear, calling on the international community to contribute to improving the situation in our country and to stand firmly in the face of the Houthi terrorist attacks and their aggressive practices.

He explained that the Houthi militia is an Iranian tool that seeks to blackmail the region and the world, and exploits the war in Gaza as a justification to threaten international peace and security.

In turn, the UN official thanked the Southern Transitional Council and its positions in support of the efforts aimed at stopping the war and bringing peace, and its willingness to make the utmost efforts and deal positively with all proposals to address the crisis.

Participated in the meeting were Bert Scott, Acting Office of the UN Envoy in the capital, Aden, Major General Kamal Hamshari, Member of the Presidency of the Southern Transitional Council, Dr. Suhair Ali Ahmed, Head of the Women’s Assistant to the Presidency of the Council, and Anis Al-Sharafi, Vice President of the Foreign Affairs Commission. And Dr. Khaled Bamdhaf, Vice Chairman of the Assistant Political Body of the Presidency of the Council.