President Al-Alimi Receives British Minister of State for Middle East and North Africa

  Aden

His Excellency President Dr. Rashad Mohammed Al-Alimi, President of the Presidential Leadership Council, received today, Tuesday, at Ma’ashiq Palace—together with Council member Dr. Abdullah Al-Alimi, Mr. Hamish Falconer, the British Minister of State for Middle East and North Africa, who is visiting Yemen in the first trip by a British minister in nearly seven years.

The meeting discussed bilateral relations between the two countries, the latest domestic developments, and international efforts to secure maritime navigation routes, in addition to the cross-border threats and violations committed by the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist militia.

President Al-Alimi praised the British support for the humanitarian response plan, its programs to strengthen the Yemeni Coast Guard, and its role as penholder on Yemen at the UN Security Council, standing by the Yemeni people and their aspirations to restore state institutions, security, stability, and peace.

His Excellency briefed the British Minister on national developments and the economic reforms being implemented by the government and the Central Bank of Yemen, as well as the international support required to build on the progress made—including the resumption of financing from the IMF, World Bank, and donor funds and institutions.

The President expressed appreciation for the role of brothers in the Coalition to Support Legitimacy, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, in achieving economic gains, maintaining the cohesion of state institutions, and continuing to fulfill essential commitments.

President Al-Alimi reaffirmed the unity of the Presidential Leadership Council around the priorities of the transitional phase, foremost among them ending the Houthi terrorist threat, restoring state institutions, and strengthening partnership with the international community in safeguarding global peace and security.

The meeting also touched on the UN Panel of Experts’ report and its revelations about transnational smuggling networks and explicit Houthi cooperation with terrorist groups in Yemen and the region.

In this context, the President called for intensified British efforts to curb the flow of Iranian weapons, strengthen deterrent sanctions against Houthi violations, and cut off their sources of funding.

His Excellency reiterated the Council and government’s commitment to a comprehensive and sustainable peace based on nationally, regionally, and internationally agreed references—particularly UN Security Council Resolution 2216—ensuring the state’s exclusive right to possess arms, preventing the rewarding of militias, and ensuring accountability.

The President stressed that believing the Houthi militia will cease threatening international interests once the war in Gaza ends is a misconception, noting that the Houthi project has become part of a broader Iranian strategy to blackmail the world.

For his part, British Minister of State Hamish Falconer, confirmed his country's commitment to supporting the Presidential Leadership Council and the government and their efforts to improve the living conditions of the Yemeni people. He also reiterated the UK’s support for UN efforts to revive the political process and advance the capabilities of Yemen’s Coast Guard.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Shaya Al-Zindani, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, Major General Saleh Al-Maqaleh, Director of the Presidential Office, and Ms. Abda Sharif, the UK Ambassador to Yemen.