Latest news with #RashadAlAlimi
Asharq Al-Awsat
05-06-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Yemen's New PM Takes Office in Aden Amid Deep Economic Crisis
Yemen's newly appointed Prime Minister, Salem Saleh bin Braik, officially assumed office in the interim capital Aden after returning from Riyadh alongside Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi, amid worsening economic conditions and deteriorating public services in the war-ravaged country. Bin Braik takes the helm as Yemen grapples with one of its most severe economic downturns in recent years. The local currency has plunged to a record low, with the US dollar trading at over 2,500 Yemeni rials, fueling inflation and deepening humanitarian needs. Citizens in government-held areas are hoping the new prime minister can halt the currency's freefall and improve crumbling services, particularly electricity, after years of war have drained public resources and infrastructure. In his first cabinet meeting, attended by Al-Alimi, bin Braik outlined his vision and roadmap for the coming period, describing directives from the presidential council as an urgent framework aimed at 'containing economic and service deterioration, alleviating humanitarian suffering, and strengthening the state's legal authority.' He listed key priorities including financial and monetary policy reform, activating oversight and accountability mechanisms, and combating corruption. Bin Braik has called for sweeping institutional reforms and national cooperation as he assumes office, vowing to restore oversight bodies and stabilize the economy amid a worsening crisis in government-held areas. Speaking during his first cabinet meeting in Aden, bin Braik said the reactivation of key institutions such as the Supreme Anti-Corruption Commission, the High Tender Committee, and the Tender Oversight Authority was 'imperative and necessary' to strengthen transparency and support other watchdog bodies. He also stressed the need for Yemen's parliament and consultative council to resume sessions from Aden. Bin Braik pledged to empower the central bank to fully perform its functions and regain control over public revenues, insisting that all liberated provinces must deposit their income into the bank. 'Success in these efforts,' he said, 'requires broad national integration and cooperation between the government, local authorities, and political components.' The prime minister urged Yemen's political parties, media professionals, and activists to adopt a unified national discourse and engage in constructive criticism, stressing that 'this phase does not allow for political rivalries or narrow calculations.' In a message directed to the public, particularly women and youth, bin Braik reaffirmed his government's commitment to supporting their causes, empowering them, and addressing their aspirations within a clear institutional framework. 'We don't want to put the country onto a civil-war track, but believe me, this is not going to affect our commitment to the need to extend and consolidate the authority of the state,' Salam said.
Asharq Al-Awsat
31-05-2025
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Al-Alimi Praises Saudi Decision to Extend Masam Landmine Clearance Project
President of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi has praised Saudi Arabia's decision to extend the Project Masam contract for landmine clearance in Yemen. Al-Alimi lauded the decision, which includes an extension of the Masam project implementation for an additional year with a budget of $52,994,413. He also commended the leadership of the program and its team, along with all Saudi institutions involved in humanitarian, service, and developmental efforts across various fields. 'This great humanitarian effort by our brothers in the Kingdom, through the Masam project, which has so far removed nearly 500,000 landmines and various explosive devices, embodies a noble fraternal commitment to Yemen and its people, and contributes to alleviating the suffering caused by the war ignited by the Iranian-backed terrorist Houthi militias,' Al-Alimi said.
Asharq Al-Awsat
30-05-2025
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Yemen's al-Alimi Criticizes International Concessions Made to the Houthis
Chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad al-Alimi has described the Houthis as an 'enduring' threat to Yemen, the region and international shipping lanes, and criticized what he termed 'incentives and concessions from certain international actors' made to the militias. During a panel discussion organized by the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow on Thursday, al-Alimi stated: We are confronting a sectarian theocratic project that does not recognize the state or the law and is rooted in the ideology of divine right to rule. These are the very ideas Russia has historically opposed in various arenas, in defense of the civil state.' He criticized the lack of an accurate understanding of the Yemeni situation and the prevalence of misleading narratives in some international circles, including certain think tanks and decision-making institutions, which still view Yemen through a blurred lens or as part of a geopolitical conflict solvable through superficial compromises. He identified among these false narratives claims portraying the Houthis as an 'oppressed minority' suitable for political assimilation. 'The truth is we face an armed doctrinal movement grounding its authority in 'divine right' theology, while rejecting all civil state constructs and the principle of equal citizenship,' he said. Al-Alimi deemed even more dangerous the designation of the Houthis as a 'transient threat' linked to the repercussions of the Gaza war. He affirmed this to be a mistaken and misleading perception. He explained that the Houthis are an enduring and structural danger to Yemen, the region, and international shipping lanes. Al-Alimi drew attention to the fact that ship piracy, naval mine deployment, and Red Sea piracy did not begin in 2024, but have been a recurrent Houthi tactic for years. He affirmed that the Houthis' criminal conduct mirrors that of organizations and groups that Moscow itself condemns, including targeting airports and seaports, booby-trapping mosques, schools, and hospitals, suppressing women's rights, child conscription, and militarizing civilian infrastructure. He added: 'Despite all this, the Houthis continue to receive incentives and concessions from certain international actors, while the legitimate government, representing Yemen's constitutional framework, stands accused of weakness or division. This completely ignores the reality that it effectively controls approximately 70% of Yemen's territory and unites all national components under its umbrella.' 'What is required today is restoring the logic of the state against claims of divine guardianship ... while supporting legitimate institutions against illegitimate armed groups. This is the same principle Russia has consistently upheld in its global counterterrorism efforts,' he added. Al- Alimi reaffirmed Yemen's unequivocal position supporting the Palestinian people's right to an independent state and the imperative to halt Israeli aggressions. However, he stressed that this stance cannot be exploited to justify Iran's behavior in the region or to advance its agenda through proxies, as witnessed in Yemen. 'Iran's expansionist policies threaten not only Yemen but also destabilize the entire Red Sea and Horn of Africa region,' he warned. He noted with concern the Houthis' close ties with al-Qaeda, ISIS, and other criminal organizations, entities that share ideological alignment, mutual interests, and logistical cooperation with the group. 'This signals the resurgence of cross-border terrorist networks,' he said. Al-Alimi held talks in Moscow on Wednesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Asharq Al-Awsat
29-05-2025
- Business
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Al-Alimi in Moscow to Garner Russian Support for Legitimate Yemeni Govt
Chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad al-Alimi held talks in Moscow on Wednesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Putin said cooperation with Yemen dates back to Soviet times and diplomatic ties between the two sides were established in 1928. Yemen and Russia have been cooperating actively for some one hundred years. He said the Russian embassy will resume operations in Yemen, reported Russia Today. 'The trade and economic relationship between Russia and Yemen is developing with success and holds several promising sectors,' he remarked. Al-Alimi was in Moscow at Putin's invitation and he sought to garner Russian support for the legitimate Yemeni government against the Iran-backed Houthi militias. Al-Alimi and Putin discussed ways to boost cooperation between their countries and coordinate positions on various issues of mutual interest. Putin underscored Russia's 'commitment to supporting Yemen and its people, and their aspirations for security, stability, and peace,' said a statement from Al-Alimi's office. 'He emphasized the deep historical relations between the two countries, which are based on longstanding traditions of friendship and mutual respect,' it added. Putin expressed his confidence in the development of these relations in a way that serves the interests of both nations and contributes to the security and stability of the region. For his part, Al-Alimi briefed Putin on the situation in Yemen and the hopes pinned on the outcomes of his visit to Moscow, which coincides with the 97th anniversary of the establishment of close relations between their nations. He highlighted the 'longstanding and solid Yemen-Russia friendship, rooted in goodwill, balanced interests, and Russia's significant support in strengthening the presence of the Yemeni state across various stages.' He expressed his gratitude and appreciation for Russia's consistent stance in support of the Yemeni people and their constitutional legitimacy. He recalled the enduring legacy of cooperation between the two countries and peoples in areas such as economic, political, military, educational, health, and cultural cooperation. 'We in the leadership of the Republic of Yemen highly value Russia's supportive stance for constitutional legitimacy, as well as Moscow's commitment to achieving peace and stability and ending the suffering of the Yemeni people,' Al-Alimi stressed. 'We also appreciate Moscow's consistent condemnation of terrorist threats that destabilize maritime security and international peace and security.' Moreover, Al-Alimi addressed the deteriorating economic, service, and humanitarian conditions, exacerbated by the terrorist Houthi militia attacks on oil facilities. He acknowledged 'the significant financial support provided by the Coalition to Support Legitimacy led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.' He underlined the importance of 'maintaining the cohesive stance of the international community regarding the Yemeni issue, and efforts to combat terrorism, piracy, and organized crime.' He also praised Russia's position in support of Arab causes, foremost among them the right of the Palestinian people to establish their independent state according to international resolutions and the Arab Peace Initiative.
Al Etihad
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Al Etihad
UAE President, VPs congratulate Chairman of Presidential Leadership Council in Yemen on National Day
22 May 2025 12:07 ABU DHABI (WAM) President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a message of congratulations to Dr. Rashad Al Alimi, Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council in Yemen, on the occasion of his country's National Day. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, dispatched similar messages to Dr. Al Alimi and Prime Minister Salem Saleh Salem bin Braik.
