BICOM

Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt has warned that the UN-led peace process for Yemen’s main port city “could be dead within weeks” as he became the first Foreign Secretary to visit the country since 1996.

In December, the Yemeni government and the rebel Houthi movement agreed to pull out and redeploy forces in Hodeidah, a lifeline for millions facing famine, by 7 January, which intended to clear the way for wider negotiations to end the four-year war, but progress has been slow.

The Foreign Secretary visited Aden yesterday and met with Yemeni Deputy Prime Minister Salem Ahmed Saeed Al Khanbashi and Foreign Minister Khaled Al Yamani.

Hunt said: “We are now in the last chance saloon for the Stockholm peace process. The port of Hodeidah was supposed to be cleared of militia and left under neutral control by the beginning of January. The process could be dead within weeks if we do not see both sides sticking to their commitments in Stockholm.”

Whilst in the country Hunt also met aid workers and witnessed the humanitarian effort to prevent what he said were more than 20 million people on the brink of starvation. The UN says at least 6,800 civilians have been killed and 10,700 injured in the fighting since 2015.

Hunt met with Sultan Qaboos in Oman, Foreign Minister al Assaf in Saudi Arabia, and Foreign Minister Abdullah bin Zayed in the UAE.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, Hunt and Saudi Minister Al Assad: “Reviewed the historical relations binding the two Kingdoms and bilateral existing partnership between the two friendly countries, in addition to discussing latest regional as well as international developments and endeavours exerted towards them”.

Hunt said: “Our strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia helps us to keep the UK safe, to make progress on diplomatic priorities like Yemen, and to discuss frankly issues of concern.” Prior to the visit Hunt failed to convince Germany to end its ban on arms exports to Saudi Arabia, which he said was hurting Europe’s defence projects, such as the Eurofighter, and diminishing the EU’s influence in efforts to end the Yemen conflict.

He tweeted that he had discussions with Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Adel al-Jubeir, about human rights reforms and current issues, including Jamal Khashoggi, women activists and the guardianship law.