By Shukri Hussein
SANAA, Yemen (AA) - The UN Special Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, concluded a series of discussions Tuesday in Cairo that addressed the country’s political, security and economic conditions amid a nearly decade-long conflict.
"Grundberg concluded a two-day visit to Cairo, where he met with Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Atty and Secretary-General of the League of Arab States Ahmed Aboul Gheit,” the envoy’s office said in a statement. “Discussions addressed the political, security, and economic situation in Yemen.”
Grundberg “expressed growing concern over the impact of the regional escalation on Yemen’s prospects of peace, reiterating that a stable and peaceful Yemen is critical for the security of the broader region,” it said.
He also pointed to the escalation in the Red Sea as “a major threat, affecting both regional stability and crucial maritime trade routes.”
The UN official stressed “the importance of preserving the progress made through the parties' commitments to a nationwide cease-fire.”
Grundberg did, however, express deep concern about arbitrary detentions by the Iranian-backed Houthi group, particularly targeting UN and NGO staff.
He reiterated his demand for the immediate and unconditional release of those held, stressing that the actions erode trust and further jeopardize peace efforts.
Since 2021, the Houthis have detained several staff members from diplomatic missions and international organizations on espionage charges.
The latest case occurred June 10, when the group released footage purportedly showing confessions of Yemeni nationals allegedly involved in spying activities. The identities of those detained, however, were not disclosed.
On July 2, the Houthi government, which lacks international recognition, said detained UN staff would be released once their innocence of espionage for US and Israeli intelligence agencies was established.
That followed repeated pressure from UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who, on June 11, urged the unconditional release of 17 UN employees held by Houthi authorities in Yemen.
*Writing by Mohammad Sio