Head of Yemen's new Presidential Council vows to end war and achieve peace

Gen Rashad Al Alimi also vowed to give priority to national interests and address political, economic, social and security challenges

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and head of the newly established Yemeni presidential council Gen Rashad Al Alimi meet in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. EPA

The head of Yemen’s newly formed Presidential Leadership Council, Gen Rashad Al Alimi, vowed on Friday to work on ending war and achieving peace in the country.

Yemen’s President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi handed over all executive powers to the eight-member council after removing his vice president from office on Thursday.

“This council is a council of peace not war, but it is also a council of defence, power and unity whose mission is to protect the sovereignty of the nation and citizens,” Gen Al Alimi said in a speech.

Gen Al Alimi, a former adviser to Mr Hadi, also vowed to give priority to national interests and to work hard to address all political, economic, social and security challenges.

He thanked the Saudi-led coalition for its “unlimited support” for the Yemeni government and those at all political, economic and humanitarian levels for their efforts to achieve comprehensive peace in the country.

The formation of the council followed more than a week of extensive talks between Yemen’s political factions in the Saudi capital Riyadh, sponsored by the Gulf Co-operation Council.

The presidential declaration said three bodies would be established to aid the Presidential Council in its mission.

A reconciliation and consultation body comprising 15 members from all Yemeni political factions — with the exception of the Houthi rebels — will be in charge of uniting the various parties and paving the way towards a comprehensive political process with the goal of ending the conflict and restoring order to the country.

A legal team of nine members, including judges and prominent lawyers, and an economic team of 14 members, among them former ministers, economic experts and businessmen, will also be established.