President Al-Zubaidi Receives UN Staff Being Released from Hands of Al-Qaeda in Abyan

President Aidarous Qassem Al-Zubaidi, President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) and Vice-Chairman of the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), received the United Nations staff members who were released from the hands of the terrorist organization Al-Qaeda in Abyan Governorate, accompanied by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, Mr. David Gressly, the Chief Security Advisor of the UN, responsible for the safety and security of UN personnel and programs, Mr. Senyo Kufe, and the Head of the UN Crisis Management Cell, Mr. Omar Al-Nashrati.

At the beginning of the meeting, President Al-Zubaidi congratulated the released staff members after almost a year and a half of kidnapping in the hands of the terrorist organization, pointing out that his efforts with the brothers in the coalition and the UN office, which culminated in their release, came within the framework of duty, responsibility, morality, humanity, and patriotism towards whoever provides assistance and humanitarian aid in light of the difficult circumstances it is going through.

The President asserted his support for the efforts of the UN in the political and humanitarian aspects and his readiness to provide whatever would help the international organizations operating in the country carry out their role without any difficulties or obstacles.

In turn, Mr. David Gressly, Values, on behalf of the Secretary-General of the UN, Mr. António Guterres, and the released staff members, thanked President Al-Zubaidi for his efforts to release them and said that he was the reason for the return of the staff to their families and the happiness they are experiencing at this moment.

Mr. Gressly affirmed the readiness of the UN to exert more efforts and double its assistance to those in need throughout the country, pointing out that this process represents the best beginning for greater cooperation between the UN and the STC in the future.

To the end of the meeting, Mr. Gressly offered condolences to President Al-Zubaidi on the martyrdom of the heroic commander Abdul-Latif Al-Sayed, commander of the Security Belt Forces in Abyan governorate, noting that he was one of the distinguished commanders in the fight against terrorism.

The meeting was attended by Mr. Emad Mohammed, Office Head of the Vice President of the PLC, and Mr. Nasr Al-Qutibi, Senior Security Consultant at the UN Office in Aden.