Abu Dhabi (South24, Adenpress)

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In South Yemen, the Southern Transitional Council (STC) continues its diplomatic moves to convince the international community of the importance of its participation in peace negotiations, to warn against the increase of terrorist groups' activity in some areas of South, and to clarify the humanitarian, economic and military situation there.

In this regard, the STC's President and Supreme Commander of the Southern Armed Forces, Aidroos Qassem al-Zubaidi met in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, with the UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths.

The meeting reviewed the political, military and humanitarian situation in the South and Yemen in general and the efforts towards a comprehensive ceasefire and a political solution to the current conflict.

Al-Zubaidi affirmed the STC's support for the efforts made by the UN Special Envoy and STC's readiness for serious participation in all the stages of the U.N.-sponsored political process.

The key to the solution 

Al-Zubaidi made it clear that solving the southern issue in line with the aspirations of the southern people, represented in restoring their identity, independence and rebuilding their state, is the key to any proposed solutions.

The effectiveness of any solutions resides in its ability to address the very roots of the conflict that has started since 1994, Al-Zubaidi added.

The STC seeks to participate as an active party in any negotiations to end the war in Yemen, which is supported by some major countries.

Last Sunday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stressed the importance of the Riyadh Agreement signed between the Southern Council and President Hadi.

Lavrov said, in an interview with the Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahram, that the Riyadh agreement would "create the conditions for the launch of negotiations between the unified delegation of the Yemeni authorities and the STC on the one side and the leaders of Ansar Allah (the Houthis) on the other side regarding the upcoming political arrangements."

Al-Zubaidi and leaders of the STC meet, on Wednesday, Swedish officials in Abu Dhabi (official) 

The return of Terror 

Al-Zubaidi stressed the need for courageous decisions to face the challenges brought about by the crisis, in particular the return of terrorist activity and the continuous terror operations against the southern leaders and forces in Abyan, Shabwa and Wadi Hadramout, calling on the international community, Middle East Quartet and Arab Coalition to take serious measures to meet those extremely dangerous challenges.

He also touched on the dire humanitarian crisis in the South and Yemen, including unpaid salaries, lack of public services and new wave of Covid-19 pandemic amid dilapidated health infrastructure and absence of a real regional and international humanitarian role, affirming that the STC does what it takes to help people with the resources available to it.

Earlier the same day, Al-Zubaidi met with the Swedish Special Envoy for Yemen, Ambassador Peter Semneby and the Ambassador of Sweden to the UAE, Henrik Lander Holme, to discuss a political solution to the current conflict.

In November 2019, the STC and President Hadi signed the Riyadh Agreement, under Saudi sponsorship, which included the need to form a joint delegation to lead talks to end the war with the Houthis.