Yemen's vice president and prime minister Khaled Bahah (C) talks to an army officer after his arrival to the country's northern province of Marib on November 22. Ali Owidha/Reuters
Yemen's vice president and prime minister Khaled Bahah (C) talks to an army officer after his arrival to the country's northern province of Marib on November 22. Ali Owidha/Reuters

Yemen’s PM visits Marib province with ministers



ADEN // Prime minister Khalid Bahah on Sunday returned to Yemen from Saudi Arabia to visit Marib province, most of which has been liberated from the Houthi rebels, with five ministers.

Mr Bahah held a meeting with officials and military leaders in Marib province, and said the ministers would remain in Marib to resume their duties.

Brig Gen Mural Turaiq said Mr Bahah told him: “Today we are in Marib and tomorrow we will be in Sanaa.”

Brig Turaiq said the visit by the prime minister encouraged forces loyal to the government battle on towards Sanaa.

“Bahah confirmed for us in the meeting that the return to Sanaa will be soon, and there are five ministers who will remain in Marib while he returns to Riyadh.”

Restoring full security to liberated provinces is a priority for the government.

“My task will be visiting the liberated provinces, while some of the ministers will stay to resume their work from Marib,” Mr Bahah said.

He said the government was willing for any peace talks with the Houthis rebels if they implemented the UN Security Council resolution calling for the rebels to leave areas they have occupied and hand over any weapons they had seized.

The visit is the first by a high-ranking Yemeni official to Marib since the Saudi-led coalition forces and the Yemeni army and resistance liberated most of its districts.

Meanwhile, members of the southern resistance and Yemeni army cleared more than 5,000 landmines on the road to Al Rahida district in Taez province, where they have also made gains against the rebels.

Four Houthis were killed and two captured in an ambush by loyalists on two rebel patrols south of Rahida.

“After five days of the battle in Karesh front, the southern resistance and the Yemeni army took over Hameem area in Al Rahida district and sat up in some mountains over Al Rahida, so they can advance easier towards Al Rahida city,” said Moa’ath Al Yaseri, a leader of the popular resistance in Taez.

And a Saudi Air Force brigadier general, who cannot be identified because of security, yesterday defended the coalition air strike campaign, saying critics “are receiving all the information from the adversary.

“We are sticking to the rules – the international rules and Geneva Convention, first, and law of conflict”.

foreign.desk@thenational.ae

* With additional reporting by Agence France-Presse

Match info

Uefa Champions League Group F

Manchester City v Hoffenheim, midnight (Wednesday, UAE)

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- Champions League

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Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.

BUNDESLIGA FIXTURES

Saturday (UAE kick-off times)

Cologne v Union Berlin (5.30pm)

Fortuna Dusseldorf v Borussia Dortmund (5.30pm)

Hertha Berlin v Eintracht Frankfurt (5.30pm)

Paderborn v Werder Bremen (5.30pm)

Wolfsburg v Freiburg (5.30pm)

Bayern Munich v Borussia Monchengladbach (8.30pm)

Sunday

Mainz v Augsburg (5.30pm)

Schalke v Bayer Leverkusen (8pm)

Remaining fixtures
  • August 29 – UAE v Saudi Arabia, Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain
  • September 5 – Iraq v UAE, Amman, Jordan (venue TBC)
Porsche Macan T: The Specs

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Torque: 400Nm from 1,800-4,500rpm 

Transmission: 7-speed dual-clutch auto 

Speed: 0-100kph in 6.2sec 

Top speed: 232kph 

Fuel consumption: 10.7L/100km 

On sale: May or June 

Price: From Dh259,900  

Essentials

The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes. 
 

Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes. 


In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes. 
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.

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Power: 400hp

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Transmission: 9-speed automatic

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On sale: Now

Empty Words

By Mario Levrero  

(Coffee House Press)
 

Know before you go
  • Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
  • If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
  • By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
  • Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
  • Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

 

'The Batman'

Stars:Robert Pattinson

Director:Matt Reeves

Rating: 5/5

Uefa Nations League: How it works

The Uefa Nations League, introduced last year, has reached its final stage, to be played over five days in northern Portugal. The format of its closing tournament is compact, spread over two semi-finals, with the first, Portugal versus Switzerland in Porto on Wednesday evening, and the second, England against the Netherlands, in Guimaraes, on Thursday.

The winners of each semi will then meet at Porto’s Dragao stadium on Sunday, with the losing semi-finalists contesting a third-place play-off in Guimaraes earlier that day.

Qualifying for the final stage was via League A of the inaugural Nations League, in which the top 12 European countries according to Uefa's co-efficient seeding system were divided into four groups, the teams playing each other twice between September and November. Portugal, who finished above Italy and Poland, successfully bid to host the finals.

Company info

Company name: Entrupy 

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