NEW YORK: Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani called on the UN Security Council to support the efforts exerted by the Yemeni government in order to achieve the desired national reforms.
The Security Council late Friday heard briefings on the political transition in Yemen from the GCC Secretary-General, UN Special Adviser on Yemen Jamal bin Omar and Yemeni Foreign Minister Abubaker Abdullah Al-Qirbi.
Al-Zayani expressed optimism that Yemen would pass through this critical period in its history, and urged the Council to bolster the National Unity Government’s work.
Particularly with regard to fulfilling the people’s expectations of political and economic reforms, as well as continued national dialogue.
He added that the confidence the Yemeni people had shown in the GCC had helped it play an important role in building confidence in the process, and commended President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi’s "wise decisions and leadership," saying his determination had been "vital" in hauling Yemen out of crisis.
He praised the work of the Friends of Yemen, whose cooperation was an "outstanding example" of dispute settlement, and stressed that the GCC would continue to work with the group and the donor countries to meet the Yemeni people’s needs.
For his part, bin Omar told the Council that Yemen’s political transition was at a "critical juncture," with the country facing several "serious" political, economic, humanitarian and security challenges.
He said that the National Dialogue Conference had faced difficulties in the run-up to the conclusion of its work, and the "Southern Question" had proven "particularly difficult" to deal with, and the Hiraak Southern Movement had suspended participation in the Dialogue.
Because they felt that their legitimate grievances were not being adequately addressed.
He said the National Dialogue Conference was making extraordinary progress in engaging with key challenges facing the country.
Noting that its work was now 90 percent complete and its recommendations would provide a blueprint for a more peaceful, just, and prosperous Yemen.
Yemen remained the only "Arab Spring country" involved in a negotiated and peaceful transition, he indicating.
Adding that the National Dialogue Conference was the most genuine, transparent and inclusive deliberative process the Arab region had ever witnessed.
Yemeni Foreign Minister Abubaker Abdullah Al-Qirbi told the Council that the various Yemeni parties had demonstrated their willingness to pursue peaceful solutions and a democratic transfer of power.
He said the results of the National Dialogue Conference would feed into a constitution-making process and pave the way to the future.
Six of its nine working groups had finished their work, but differences remained over a number of issues, including the Southern Question.
Nonetheless, he said, Yemen was optimistic about the Dialogue’s eventual success. (QNA)
