RIYADH: Yemen’s President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi said the national dialogue is likely to take place in Riyadh on May 17.
A conference between Yemeni political groups has been scheduled by Hadi’s government for May 17 in Riyadh, but was rejected by both the Houthis and Saleh.
The talks will be hosted by Saudi Arabia.
However, several leading figures from Saleh’s political party, the General People’s Congress (GPC), have arrived in Riyadh and pledged loyalty to Hadi’s government, Abdulla said, leaving their former president increasingly isolated.
These include former telecom minister Ahmed bin Dagher, Bakeel tribal chief Mohammed al-Shayef, former GPC secretary general Sultan al-Barakani, and former Sanaa governor Abdulqader Hilal, he said.
General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, a once powerful figure in Yemen’s army who fled to Saudi Arabia last year as the Houthis advanced, is not in contact with Hadi’s government, he said.
On the other side Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Adel Al-Jubeir has said that the coalition waging an air campaign against Houthi militia in Yemen is considering a truce to allow humanitarian relief.
The Kingdom will consult members of the coalition on “finding specific areas inside Yemen… where all air operations will be paused at specific times to facilitate the delivery of aid,” Al-Jubeir said.
The UN has repeatedly warned that Yemen faces a major humanitarian crisis and calls have been growing for efforts to increase aid deliveries.
Al-Jubeir disclosed Saudi Arabia’s plans to establish a center on its territory to coordinate all humanitarian aid efforts with the UN, donors and other relevant agencies. He warned the rebels against “taking advantage” of any pause in the bombing.
Saudi Arabia “will deal with any violations in connection with the suspension of airstrikes or movements that hinder humanitarian efforts,” he said.
