Source The U.S Department of State
“Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken meets with UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg at the Department of State, on October 10, 2023.”
Media www.rajawalisiber.com – true evil that we’ve seen inflicted on Israel over the last few days. And he was very clear that we stand with Israel. And that’s a message that he’s asked me to carry directly to our Israeli partners when I travel to the region a little bit later this week.
In the meantime, we’re also very engaged with partners throughout the region, as well as of course looking out for American citizens, families who have had loved ones killed or have loved ones missing. I’ll have a lot more to say about that tomorrow and in the days ahead.
For today, I also want to say that even as we are very focused on what we’ve seen in Israel and everything that we’re doing to make sure that we have Israel’s back, we are not losing sight of the many other challenges we face. And from day one, one of those challenges has been to support efforts to bring a durable peace to Yemen.
In that effort, what we’ve seen over the last 18 or so months is a truce that has materially improved the lives of Yemenis, as imperfect as it’s been. And the challenge now is to turn that truce into a durable peace. And to that end, I’m very grateful for the work of UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg – I’m very delighted to see him here today – so that we have an opportunity to compare notes on where we are on Yemen, the work that’s being done, including the encouraging work being done between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis – recent visit, first visit to Riyadh by the Houthi delegation – and ultimately, the work that needs to be done with the patronage of the United Nations to bring Yemenis together to forge a durable peace. Our ability to achieve that can take the gains that have already been made through the truce and make them enduring, and dramatically change the lives of the Yemeni people.
That’s what we’re working toward; that’s what we’re working on.
With that, let me say it’s a pleasure, Hans, to have you here today.