The Presidium of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) held its periodic meeting today, Thursday, chaired by Mr. Ali Abdullah Al-Kathiri, Acting President of the STC and Chairman of the National Assembly, in the presence of the STC's ministers in the government and heads of the auxiliary bodies.


At the beginning of its meeting, the Presidium listened to a virtual briefing by Dr. Nasser Al-Khubbaji, Head of the Auxiliary Political Commission and Head of the Negotiations Affairs Unit, on the latest political developments in the South, Yemen, and the region and the STC's position on them.


In this regard, the Presidium reiterated the STC's position in support of a cessation of the war and achieving a comprehensive and lasting peace, stressing the need to complete consultations with all key and active parties to ensure a comprehensive and successful political process.


Likewise, the Presidium asserted that the STC's stance in supporting peace efforts is rooted in its keenness on the security and stability of the region and its strategic political and security partnership with the brothers in the Arab Coalition countries, led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, and friends in the region and the world, noting that the STC has always been and will definitely remain consistently keen to prevent any geographical area in Yemen from becoming a threat to itself, the South, the region, or international interests. 


The Presidium has called on the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) to implement the agreed-upon commitments, foremost among which is the immediate activation of the joint negotiating team to directly carry out its tasks, in various political, economic, and military negotiation files and issues, and also highlighted the need to swiftly approve a specific framework for the cause of the people of the South in all phases of the UN-sponsored political process, as outlined in the outcomes of the Gulf Cooperation Council consultations, warning in this context of the consequences of any attempts to delay and hinder these commitments.


Similarly, the Presidium has emphasized the critical need for the government to fully assume its responsibilities, including resuming regular cabinet meetings and consistently implementing the approved matrix aimed at addressing the economic challenges faced by citizens. The government is also urged to prioritize providing essential services, revitalizing government institutions, enhancing their performance, and increasing the level of revenues therein.


In a different context, the Presidium reviewed the results of the meetings of the STC's leadership with the European Union mission in Yemen, and the UN Deputy Special Envoy for Yemen, which were held on the sidelines of the meetings organized by the German Berghof Foundation in the Jordanian capital, Amman.


The Presidium also touched on the latest developments related to the case of the abducted Lieutenant Colonel Ali Ashaal al-Ja'adani, according to a briefing by the Minister of State, Governor of the capital Aden, and Head of the Security Committee, Mr. Ahmed Hamid Lamlas, in which he reviewed the efforts of the security services to uncover the details of the case, and his confirmation that the case file and the accused had been referred to the public prosecution to take legal measures, noting that there are arrest warrants issued by the public prosecution against the remaining wanted fugitives who have fled justice to hand them over to the judiciary.


In this regard, the Presidium has reaffirmed its continued efforts to assist the prosecution with all its capabilities to reach the truth, expedite its procedures to uncover the fate of Ashaal, and refer the case to justice.


Furthermore, the Presidium warned against the ongoing interference of the Houthis and other opposing forces, which continue to work hard to divert the course of the case, noting that it is