UN envoy to Yemen: political situation is progressing positively

By Mohammed al-Kibsi The envoy of the United Nations to Yemen Jamal Bin Omar affirmed that the political situation in Yemen is developing and is progressing positively. Bin Omar told Saba news agency prior to his departure from Sana’a on Saturday that there is some positive progress at the political situation in Yemen after singing the GCC deal and its executive mechanism and forming the national unity government adding that there is already a fixed time for the early presidential elections and that a military committee was assigned and that this military committee started making decision for lifting arms and militants from the streets. He added that the international community has been following up the situations on the ground adding that he is to present his report to the Security Council that will held its session over Yemen issue on the 21 of December. “The UN Security Council is closely watching the political transition in Yemen and wants to see Yemen whose streets are owned by the people and not the military units or the militias,” he told Saba news agency. He also warned groups against attempts to stop the transition process. Meanwhile military forces started leaving the streets of the capital, Sana’a, on Saturday in line with the Gulf Cooperation Council-brokered agreement for the transfer of power, an army official said. Bulldozers removed sand bags and trenches from streets and checkpoints set up since defected army deployed troops onto the streets along with its allies from the Islamic militias and the tribal militias affiliated to Sheikh al-Ahmar sons under the pretence of protecting the protesters that revolted against President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s government. A panel led by interim leader and vice president, Abdurabu Mansur Hadi, called for all troops and military vehicles to return to their barracks and for militiamen to leave public and private buildings. President Saleh agreed last month to relinquish power amid anti-government protests and a unity government was formed on Dec. 7 from both Saleh’s and opposition parties. Members of militia must return to their villages by Dec. 24 and a presidential election is scheduled for Feb. 21. Hours before the start of the pullout, blasts and gunfire were heard in the north of Sana’a, where sporadic clashes have erupted between forces loyal to Saleh and tribal fighters affiliated to sheikh al-Ahmar. In terms of the deal signed by president Saleh in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia’s capital, on Nov. 23, a 14-member military committee headed by Hadi will oversee the restructuring of the armed forces after the election.