Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi and her Saudi counterpart, Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, discussed security issues, including the recent developments in Yemen, over phone on Tuesday (September 15, 2020).
“I expressed Indonesia’s concern about the latest development and growing tension in Yemen, particularly its impact on humanitarian issues,” Retno said on Thursday.
The situation in Yemen was also discussed at a meeting of the UN Security Council the same day. Special Envoy of the UN, Secretary General Martin Griffith, and UN Under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mark Lowcock, also gave briefings at the meeting on the latest situation in Yemen.
“Basically, the briefing highlighted the anxious situation in Yemen where local people are suffering due to the protracted conflict. The briefing also touched the danger of starvation, (which is) endangering most of Yemeni people,” she said.
Both at the meeting of the UN Security Council and during the phone conversation with the Saudi foreign minister, Retno said Indonesia urged all sides to exercise self restraint and soon agree on a joint declaration initiated by the special envoy of the US Secretary General.
Indonesia denounced the attack launched by Houthi rebels on neighboring countries, including Saudi Arabia, and was worried about the humanitarian situation in the field, particularly in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic.
To this end, she underscored the importance of protecting civilians.
“Indonesia also called for the reopening of the Sanaa Airport since it serves as a gateway for humanitarian aid to Yemen,” she added.
Indonesian, Saudi foreign ministers discuss situation in Yemen.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi. (ANTARA/Handout Kemlu RI)
I expressed Indonesia’s concern about the latest development and growing tension in Yemen, particularly its impact on humanitarian issues
