UPDATE - Yemeni government, separatist council sign Riyadh deal

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS

By Alaadin Hidir

RIYADH (AA) - The Yemeni government and the separatist council on Tuesday signed a deal to end the conflict over several southern cities, including Aden.

The agreement was signed between the Yemeni government and the United Arab Emirates-backed Southern Transitional Council (STC) in the Saudi capital Riyadh.

Yemen’s Deputy Prime Minister Salem al-Khanbashi, representing the Yemeni government; and Nasser al-Khabaji, the representative of the STC, signed the agreement in the presence of Yemeni, Arab and other foreign leaders and politicians.

Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed attended the signing ceremony.

The agreement states that STC shares half of portfolios of the Cabinet that should not exceed 24 ministers and ensures its participation in the government delegation for consultations on the final political solution with Houthis rebel group.

The deal also states that all forces that moved toward Aden, Abyan and Shabwah since the beginning of August will return to their bases and be replaced by local security forces within 15 days.

It also commits the parties to work to activate the role of all state authorities and institutions as well as the unification of military forces and deploy them under the direct supervision of the Saudi-led coalition's command within 60 days.

The agreement affirms the commitment to full citizenship rights for all the Yemeni people and to stop media campaigns.

A commission should be established under supervision of the coalition to follow up the implementation of the deal.