Supervisor Elham AbolFateh
Editor in Chief Mohamed Wadie

France Urges Houthis to Accept Saudi Peace Initiative for Yemen


Tue 04 May 2021 | 10:22 PM
Ahmad El-Assasy

The Houthi militias must recognize the Saudi peace initiative for Yemen, which is completely aligned with UN efforts, according to France's Ambassador for Yemen Jean-Marie Safa, who chastised the Iran-backed coalition for acting rashly when it comes to finding a solution to the country's conflict.

In an interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, Safa said that if the Houthis really want to put the Yemeni people's interests first, they must recognize the elements of the entire Saudi peace plan, which is in line with the UN peace plan.

France's ambassador slammed the Houthis for using "hollow slogans" about peace in public statements, pointing out that guerrillas' offensive in the northeastern governorate of Marib has revealed the group's war-driven ideology.

“Saudi Arabia has presented a peace initiative, but Houthis responded with more attacks on the Kingdom and in Yemen. All of their actions are invested in perpetuating fighting, seizing the country, and controlling society,” Safa told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Over a million internally displaced Yemenis who sought asylum in the oil-rich governorate have been threatened by the Houthi military campaign against Marib.

“What is the value of their words about achieving peace?” questioned France's Ambassador.

“These are nothing but slogans that proved hollow in light of all the group’s actions being directed towards war,” he explained.