President Aidarous Qassem Al-Zubaidi, President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and Vice Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), received on Saturday afternoon HE Steven H. Fagin, U.S. Ambassador to Yemen.

At the outset of the meeting, Ambassador Fagin conveyed condolences on behalf of the government of his country to President Al-Zubaidi for the martyrdom of a group of Southern Forces heroes in the terrorist attack that targeted a military barracks of the Support and Reinforcement Forces participating in the "Arrows of the East" military operation in Abyan Governorate the week before last, reaffirming his government's position in supporting efforts to combat terrorism and enhance security and stability in the country.

In this regard, President Al-Zubaidi affirmed that the Southern Armed Forces are determined to continue the war on terrorism, tracking down extremist elements and striking their strongholds until they are eradicated, in order to enhance security and stability in all governorates of the South and protect regional and international interests therein, calling on the United States and the international community to support the efforts of the Southern Armed Forces in combating terrorism and drying up its sources.

Politically, the meeting was attended by Mr. Mohammed Al-Ghaithi, Member of the STC's Presidium, Head of the Consultation and Reconciliation Commission (CRC) supporting the PLC, Mr. Amr Ali Al-Beidh, member of the STC's Presidium and Special Representative of the President of the STC, Dr. Nasser Al-Khubbaji, Head of the Political Commission, assisting the presidency of the STC, and Head of the Negotiations Unit in the STC, discussed the latest political developments and efforts related to the political process led by the United Nations to bring about peace to the country.

President Al-Zubaidi reiterated the support of the STC for any efforts to end the war and restore stability to the region, stressing the importance of the international community's assumption of responsibility to cease the Houthis' tampering actions and terrorist attacks targeting international shipping lanes in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab, and the Gulf of Aden. President Al-Zubaidi highlighted this as a prerequisite for successful peace efforts, noting that a lasting and sustainable peace is impossible while Houthi terrorism persists both on land and at sea.

The president renewed his call for brotherly and friendly countries to intensify their support and backing for the PLC and enhance its cohesiveness. In this context, his excellency stressed the importance of issuing the bylaw governing the PLC's work and activating the joint negotiating team to represent the council in any negotiations.

For his part, the U.S. ambassador reaffirmed his government's support for the PLC and its efforts to unify the domestic front against the Houthi militia, reiterating the United States' commitment to supporting all efforts to end the war and achieve a just and lasting peace in the country.