Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry met on Sunday with UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths in Cairo and reiterated the country's support for efforts seeking a political solution to the Yemeni crisis. A comprehensive political solution in Yemen should meet the aspiration of the Yemeni people in stability and development and end the extended humanitarian crisis, a statement by the Egyptian foreign ministry cited Shoukry as saying. The solution should also be reached based on main settlement references, Shoukry added. These references are represented in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Initiative and its implementation mechanisms, the outcome of the national dialogue, and the UN Security Council's relevant resolutions, especially resolution no. 2216, Shoukry explained. Griffiths hailed the Egyptian role in supporting a political solution in Yemen and providing continuous assistance for the Yemeni people. He also highlighted the care Egypt provides to the Yemeni community it hosts. "The foreign minister reaffirmed Egypt's unwavering stance in supporting the current legitimacy and the unity, independence, and territorial integrity of the Yemeni state," the statement read. The term 'legitimacy' is used to refer to the internationally recognised government of Yemen. Shoukry also stressed that the security and stability of Yemen is a matter of maximum importance to the Egyptian national security and the security of the Arab region as a whole. The minister also affirmed that the freedom and security of navigation in Bab Al-Mandab Strait are of a special significance to Egyptian national security. Shoukry reiterated Egypt's categorical rejection and condemnation of the continuous attacks launched by the Houthis against Saudi lands. He also voiced support to all measures taken by Riyadh to defend Saudi national security and also the Saudi initiative to resolve the Yemeni crisis. In March, Saudi Arabia declared a new peace initiative that calls for political talks between the Yemeni government and the Houthis and a UN-supervised nationwide ceasefire. Griffiths briefed Shoukry during the meeting on his vision of the future situation in Yemen and his current endeavour to reach a ceasefire and resume the political process. He added that these efforts aim to reach a sustainable and comprehensive settlement to the Yemeni crisis. Shoukry voiced Egypt's support to the UN envoy's efforts to push forward the political solution. Griffiths and Shoukry agreed to continue consultation over the coming period with the aim of achieving the interests and aspiration of the Yemeni people. The conflict in Yemen started after the 2014 takeover of the capital Sanaa by the Houthis, which led the Saudi-led coalition to intervene in 2015 to try to restore the internationally recognised Yemeni government. The war has caused an estimated 233,000 deaths, 131,000 of whom died indirectly — mainly due to malnutrition and lack of healthcare, a report released by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in December.
