AL-MUKALLA: The Iran-backed Houthis said that they would not renew the UN-brokered truce in Yemen, slamming international calls, mainly from US President Joe Biden, to the movement to adhere to the truce and open roads in the besieged city of Taiz.

The movement’s Supreme Political Council blasted the outcomes of Biden’s visit to the region that called them to strengthen the truce, claiming that the calls “affect the sovereignty, security and stability of Yemen,” and pledged not to extend the truce.

CAIRO: The Egyptian and US presidents reiterated, in the Saudi city of Jeddah, their commitment to the strategic dialogue that is co-chaired by Egypt’s foreign minister and his American counterpart.

In a joint statement, the two sides affirmed the continuation of consultations on a wide range of global and regional security challenges. They also discussed strengthening bilateral relations.

CAIRO: Egypt’s Planning and Economic Development Minister Hala Al-Saeed met Bahrain’s Minister of Sustainable Development Nour bint Ali Al-Khulaif at the UN’s headquarters in New York, where they discussed ways to cooperate.

Al-Saeed is representing Egypt at the High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development 2022, which is being held under the theme of “Building Back After the Pandemic: Work, Health, and Well-being.”

AL-MUKALLA: The internationally recognized government in Yemen has reiterated its determination to achieve enduring peace in Yemen and strengthen the UN-brokered truce, calling upon the international community to demand that the Houthis implement the truce and end their siege on the city of Taiz.

The government issued a statement to that effect after a meeting between Chairman of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Rashad Al-Alimi, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and US Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking in Jeddah on Saturday.

BEIRUT: Lebanese President Michel Aoun says he is committed to national unity and that the country is at a crossroads with regard to its long-running political and economic crisis.

The leader said on Saturday that he “insists on abiding by the concept of national unity in his approach to forming a new government” and that “the government crisis has dragged on more than it should in light of the worrying economic and living conditions in the country.”