The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) welcomed the decision by US President Joe Biden's administration to appoint Assistant Secretary of State Timothy Lenderking as the Special Envoy to Yemen.
The Secretary General of the GCC, Nayef Falah Mubarak Al-Hajraf, stated in a press release today that this appointment "will represent a positive addition to regional and international efforts to reach the political solution sought by the GCC, in accordance with the Gulf Initiative, its executive mechanism, the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference, and Security Council Resolution 2216." Al-Hajraf emphasized "the important role of the United States and its efforts to end the Yemeni crisis and provide humanitarian and developmental assistance to the Yemeni brotherly people," praising the wisdom, capabilities, and experience of the new envoy in the region. He expressed his hope to "work together to enhance the international community's efforts to find a comprehensive solution to the Yemeni crisis and achieve security and stability in the region."
Lenderking's appointment comes as one of the steps taken by the Biden administration at the beginning of its term, indicating a shift in Washington's approach to the Yemeni crisis and a revitalization of efforts to end the conflict. Among these steps, the Biden administration decided to suspend arms sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE, halt support for Saudi-led coalition operations in Yemen, and cancel former President Donald Trump’s designation of the Houthis as a terrorist organization.
