ADEN — Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi said on Monday that the country’s newly formed government has no option but to deliver tangible change, restore public trust, and defeat the Houthi project, as it convened its first meeting after taking the constitutional oath.Chairing the cabinet’s inaugural session, Al-Alimi stressed the need to build on recent improvements in basic services achieved with strong support from Saudi Arabia, describing service delivery and institutional recovery as an integral part of the national battle, not a parallel track.“This government is not a reshuffle of names, but a clear message of broader national partnership and a gradual transfer of decision-making to a new generation,” Al-Alimi said, urging ministers to focus on action rather than rhetoric.He praised Yemen’s strategic partnership with Saudi Arabia, calling it a cornerstone of Yemen’s future stability and recovery.“Our relationship with the Kingdom is not emotional; it is our safe path forward, built on shared interests, destiny and security,” he said, warning against comparing it with any other partnerships.Al-Alimi expressed gratitude to King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, and the Saudi people for their continued support to Yemen across political, economic and humanitarian fields.The council chairman outlined three pillars for government performance: economic and administrative reform, security and rule of law, and service delivery.He said economic recovery is as critical as the military front, calling for full revenue collection to state accounts, fair distribution of spending across governorates, regular salary payments, fiscal discipline, and a crackdown on smuggling and illegal levies.On security, Al-Alimi rejected claims of a security vacuum, describing them as attempts to undermine confidence and derail Saudi-led efforts to unify security and military decision-making in Yemen and the wider region.He called for controlling illegal weapons, dismantling crime networks, and enforcing the law without discrimination.He also directed the government to leverage investment opportunities with Saudi Arabia to create visible improvements in the interim capital Aden and other liberated areas, ordering ministers to return immediately to the country and hold regular meetings focused on implementable solutions.“The government is not a political arena, but a state instrument whose primary mission is to serve citizens and defend their higher interests,” Al-Alimi said, warning that internal divisions would directly harm the public.Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Shaea Al-Zandani said the government aims to make breakthroughs in complex issues, particularly by restoring effective state institutions and enforcing the rule of law.He pledged zero tolerance for violations of regulations and laws, and promised to address political, economic, service-related and security shortcomings.Al-Zandani praised Saudi Arabia’s sustained support to Yemen’s legitimate government, describing it as a decisive factor in maintaining stability during the country’s most difficult phases.He also welcomed Saudi sponsorship of the upcoming Southern Dialogue Conference, calling it a necessary political track to address the southern issue through consensus and responsible dialogue.
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