ICRC completes logistical preparations for prisoner exchange deal

SANAA, Jan. 23 (YPA) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Sanaa on Wednesday announced the completion of logistical and technical preparations for the prisoner exchange process under the agreement signed by Yemeni parties in Sweden consultations.

“The ICRC has allocated 80 staff, including 15 delegates to carry out the exchange of prisoners, and two planes at the airports of Sanaa and Sayoun, as well as places for receiving and gathering prisoners” Mirella Hodeib, ICRC press officer, said in a press conference.
Hodeib indicated that the prisoner swap is now subject to the completion of a final agreement on lists of the prisoners, expressing her hope that the underway negotiations in Amman would achieve progress in the coming days.

In response to a question on the captive Saudi soldier Moussa Awaji, she explained that the ICRC representatives had seen the critical health situation of Awaji, and that the ICRC is ready to facilitate any agreement on him.

On December 16, a delegation of the National Salvation Government traveled to the Jordanian capital of Amman to hold talks with Riyadh’s delegation to discuss ways to overcome the obstacles facing the prisoner exchange agreement, which was adopted on December 13 in the UN-sponsored Yemeni consultations in Sweden.

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