Pakistani hails Yemen’s deal with STC‏

Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday welcomed an agreement signed between the Yemen government and Southern Transitional Council to end a power struggle in the south of Yemen.

Yemen’s President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and Southern Transitional Council (STC) leader Aidarous Al-Zoubeidi signed the agreement in Riyadh on Tuesday. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, attended the signing ceremony.

“Pakistan welcomes the conclusion of the landmark Riyadh Agreement, as a result of the initiative taken by the Saudi leadership and support by UAE Government,” Khan said in Twitter, adding “We believe it is a crucial and important step forward toward a political solution and durable peace & security in Yemen.”

“This agreement will open, God willing, broader talks between Yemeni parties to reach a political solution and end the war,” Crown Prince Salman said in a televised signing ceremony in Riyadh.

The deal calls for the formation of a new cabinet of no more than 24 ministers within 30 days that would have equal representation for northerners and southerners. STC would join any political talks to end the war.