Vietnamese diplomat: There is no military solution to Yemen conflict
VOV.VN -Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, permanent representative of Vietnam to the UN, has affirmed that there is no military solution to the ongoing conflict in Yemen, while emphasising that the only resolution is for all parties to cease hostilities.
The UN Security Council (UNSC) held a meeting on June 16 aimed at discussing the situation in Yemen, with the event featuring the participation of Martin Griffiths, the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Yemen, and Mark Lowcock, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs. With Lowcock providing participants with updates on the situation in the Middle Eastern nation.
The rapporteurs informed about the shuttle diplomacy going on among the UN and the wider international community over recent times as part of efforts to urge parties to agree upon the UN-led peace proposal and ultimately end the war in Yemen.
Participants at the meeting also expressed concern regarding recent skirmishes, particularly at Marib and Houdaydah, which have resulted in the deaths of many civilians, including women and children. The deteriorating economic and humanitarian situation in Yemen, coupled with the impact of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and food insecurity, continue to represent great challenges for Yemen.
Those in attendance thanked donors for their financial contributions to humanitarian operations whilst reiterating calls for a nationwide ceasefire, the opening of Sana'a International Airport, and the lifting of restrictions on oil tankers in the port of Houdaydah. This is along with giving fresh impetus to the resumption of political dialogue between various parties.
UNSC member states went on to condemn attacks on civilians, especially women and children, and called for a halt to military operations and for more efforts to be made to address these challenges.
They emphasised the need not to obstruct humanitarian aid, to protect civilians, especially women and children, whilst calling on the parties in Yemen to carry out the Stockholm and Riyadh Agreements. Some countries also called for increased engagement and pressure to push Ansar Allah to co-operate with the UN to deal with the issue of the Safer oil tankers.
Upon addressing the meeting, Ambassador Quy shared the view of UNSC countries that there is no military solution to the conflict in Yemen.
He emphasized that the only solution is for all parties to cease hostile acts and called on them to come together and work with Special Envoy Griffiths, regional partners, and the international community and move towards the acceptance of the UN-led peace proposal for Yemen.
The local diplomat also welcomed some improvements made in humanitarian activities compared to the same period from last year, adding that greater efforts should be made to ensure that humanitarian programmes run smoothly. He also urged all parties to speed up the implementation of the Stockholm Agreement and the Riyadh Agreement with the mediation efforts of the UN.