What new formulas is Grundberg exploring to resolve Yemen crisis?

MUSCAT, May 29 (YPA) – The UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, concluded a visit to Muscat, during which he met with senior Omani officials, members of the Sanaa government’s negotiating delegation, and “representatives of the diplomatic corps, including senior Iranian officials.”

According to a statement issued by the UN envoy’s office, the discussions focused on “the cessation of hostilities between the United States and Ansarallah and the need to translate this into sustainable progress that benefits all Yemenis, including guarantees for the region and the international community.”

Grundberg’s discussions emphasized the shared responsibility of all stakeholders to support de-escalation and advance a UN-led political process for a permanent and comprehensive solution to the Yemeni crisis.

The UN envoy’s visit to Muscat comes nearly two days after similar talks he held with Saudi and UAE ambassadors to the government loyal to the Saudi-led coalition in Riyadh, focusing on “formulas for guarantees to countries in the region,” raising questions about the coalition countries’ seriousness in seeking a compromise formula to end the Yemen war.

Observers believe that the UN envoy’s recent talks in Riyadh and Muscat and the terminology they included regarding “guarantees” may be one of the outcomes of the recent understandings between Sanaa and Washington to halt the exchange of attacks between the two sides, announced on May 6.

They see that Saudi Arabia and the UAE have reached a firm conviction that they are content with guaranteeing their security and will not risk any further demands that might further complicate the situation in Yemen, especially since some believe that no one is willing to take any risks that might anger Sanaa.

YPA