CLINTON WELCOMES CEASEFIRE IN NORTHERN YEMEN

WASHINGTON, Feb. 15 (Saba)- The United States has welcomed the ceasefire in the conflict between government troops and al-Houthi rebels in Saada, northern Yemen, the US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Monday.

"We understand that a mediation commission representing all parties is monitoring compliance with the terms of the ceasefire and beginning the urgent process of reconciliation and reconstruction needed to bring this conflict to a permanent end", Clinton said in a press release.

President Ali Abdullah Saleh decided last week to halt the military operations in Saada after the rebels had announced their acceptance to the government’s six conditions and the mechanism to implement them.

She also confirmed that the United States supports a unified, stable, democratic and prosperous Yemen.

"To assist displaced Yemenis, the United States has thus far provided 19.3 million dollars during fiscal years 2009 and 2010", she noted, adding, "We urge other donor nations to support international relief agencies."

"We have significantly increased assistance to address the political, economic and security challenges that Yemen faces, and the President requested further increases in his recent budget proposal", the US Secretary of State Clinton highlighted.

"We will continue to cooperate with international partners, including through the Friends of Yemen process, to ensure that the Yemeni people enjoy the benefits of political, economic and social reforms and achieve their long-term development goals".

The ceasefire comes to prevent bloodshed and bring peace into the region and it is conditional upon the commitment of the insurgents to implementing the conditions on the ground.

The six conditions were:
- Al-Houthi commitment to ceasefire, eliminating landmines and leaving positions and hideouts.
- Rebel withdrawal from all districts in Saada and stopping interference in the local government's duties.
- Returning looted Yemeni and Saudi military and public equipment and properties.
- releasing Yemeni and Saudi captives.
- Obeying the law and constitution.
- Pledging not to attack Saudi lands.

Saada has witnessed a sporadic six-year war between the government troops and al-Houthi rebels since
2004.

The last round of the war was erupted in August 2009.

YA