Saudi Arabia Pledges $507 Million in Aid and Development Projects for Yemen During High-Level Talks
Yemen Monitor / Newsroom:
Saudi Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman held a meeting with His Excellency the Chairman of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Council members, the Prime Minister, and the Minister of State, Governor of Aden Governorate. This marked the first official meeting following the recent events in Hadramawt and Al-Mahrah governorates.
In a tweet on his Twitter account, the Saudi Defense Minister confirmed that the meeting reviewed the fraternal relations between the two countries, discussed developments in the Yemeni situation, and efforts aimed at ending the Yemeni crisis through a comprehensive political solution to achieve security and stability.
He also emphasized the importance of continuing efforts regarding the future of the southern issue through the Riyadh Conference to formulate a comprehensive vision for just solutions.
Khalid bin Salman indicated the Kingdom’s continued support, under the directives of its leadership, by providing economic assistance and a package of developmental projects and programs across various Yemeni governorates as part of the Saudi Program for Supporting Yemen. He affirmed that these efforts reflect the Kingdom’s keenness to enhance security and stability and contribute to building a better future for Yemen and its people.
In this regard, the Saudi Program for Reconstruction and Development announced the Kingdom’s commitment to implementing urgent projects worth 1.9 billion Saudi Riyals to support Yemen. These include: “continuing the operation of Prince Mohammed bin Salman Hospital in Aden for an additional 3 years, establishing the first water desalination plant in Yemen, commencing the second and third phases of the project to rehabilitate Aden International Airport, and constructing, expanding, and enhancing the efficiency of the coastal road and its associated intersections in Aden, in addition to other projects.”
This meeting comes one week after the turbulent events in Hadramawt and Al-Mahrah, which began with the southern Transitional Council’s (STC) escalation in both governorates, reaching areas near the borders with Oman and Saudi Arabia, before government forces intervened with Saudi support and regained control of the situation. This led to the departure of STC President Aidarous Al-Zubaidi to the UAE.
Last Friday, the STC announced its dissolution, along with all its main and subsidiary bodies and apparatuses, and the closure of all its domestic and foreign offices, following a meeting of its presidency and senior leadership.
