Houthi rebels said on Monday that talks on Yemen’s weakened economy could take place in Jordan, as the United Nations attempts to salvage a truce deal that appears fragile after a series of rebel violations.
“Discussions on the war-torn country’s economy could take place in Amman, by video conference, which I discussed with the UN envoy Martin Griffiths,” Mohammed Ali Al Houthi, the head of the rebel Higher Revolutionary Committee said.
Jordan denied that Yemen’s warring parties have issued a request to host the talks in Amman, according to a statement by the foreign ministry released on Sunday.
Mr. Al Houthi clarified that he was not referring to another round of peace talks but an “economic meeting” between the two sides.
The development comes as the UN Envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, left Sanaa on Monday morning heading to Saudi Arabia to meet with Yemeni government officials, a UN source told The National.
“Mr. Griffiths spent the last two days discussing with Houthi leaders what was agreed in Stockholm, he is now on his way to Riyadh to follow up on the progress,” the source said.
Peace talks in Sweden resulted in a breakthrough as the two sides agreed on a ceasefire in the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah, which went into effect on December 18, as well as the withdrawal of all forces from the area.
A prisoner exchange deal was also reached.
The agreement stipulates that armed forces from both sides must withdraw from three key ports and the rest of the province before both government and rebel factions begin disengaging in Hodeidah city.
Local forces will then take control the city and the ports, which will be under UN supervision.
Meanwhile, Yemen’s President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi has accused the rebels of sabotaging the ceasefire agreement.
“The Houthis do not want peace and are stalling the implementation of what was agreed in Stockholm,” Mr Hadi said during a meeting with US Ambassador to Yemen Mathew Tueller.
The president called on the international community to take a firm position in pressuring the Houthis to abide by what was agreed in Sweden.
Government forces and residents in Hodeidah reported on Sunday an increase in Houthi attacks and the arrival of rebel reinforcements despite the truce.
