Despite "ticking bomb" situation, little hope for peace in Yemen talks
- 9 years ago
The outlook is bleak for achieving peace in Yemen, delegates have said, as talks between both sides begin in Geneva.
Opening the negotiations, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon compared the urgency of the situation to “a ticking bomb.”
A representative of the Houthis blamed Saudi Arabia for his low expectations. Riyadh launched air strikes against the rebels in March.
“Expectations for these meetings are not great. Saudi Arabia seems determined to continue this war and to carry out its desire to continue to act aggressively in Yemen” Seif al-Washli, a Houthi representative said. “There are no signs Riyadh has any intention of stopping this aggression.”
Yemen’s foreign minister was equally pessimistic about the possibility of a ceasefire. He called on the Houthis to withdraw from the towns and cities they are occupying, including the capital Sana’a.
Riyadh Yassin, Foreign Minister of Yemen, declared: “We are not optimistic as (the) Houthis always refuse to be reason
Opening the negotiations, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon compared the urgency of the situation to “a ticking bomb.”
A representative of the Houthis blamed Saudi Arabia for his low expectations. Riyadh launched air strikes against the rebels in March.
“Expectations for these meetings are not great. Saudi Arabia seems determined to continue this war and to carry out its desire to continue to act aggressively in Yemen” Seif al-Washli, a Houthi representative said. “There are no signs Riyadh has any intention of stopping this aggression.”
Yemen’s foreign minister was equally pessimistic about the possibility of a ceasefire. He called on the Houthis to withdraw from the towns and cities they are occupying, including the capital Sana’a.
Riyadh Yassin, Foreign Minister of Yemen, declared: “We are not optimistic as (the) Houthis always refuse to be reason