France has condemned the killing of a World Food Programme (WFP) employee in Yemen, saying that any harm done to humanitarian workers breaks international humanitarian law.
Yesterday, a representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent France's condolences to the victim's family and the World Food Programme, praising “the exceptional work they carry out in Yemen”.
Authorities in Yemen had identified the World Food Programme official who was killed in the southern Taiz province, a security official told AFP.
Moayad Hameidi, the head of the UN food agency's office in Taiz, was shot on Friday in the nearby city of Turbah, Rome-based WFP said.
“The (suspected) perpetrator of the criminal assassination of the United Nations employee in the city of Turbah in Taiz [province] has been in the city of Taiz since 2017, after fleeing Aden due to security operations against Al Qaeda operatives,” the security official said on Friday.
The Yemeni Health Ministry wrote in a tweet that it was a “heinous criminal attack targeting one of the humanitarian workers of the World Food Programme in the city of Taiz.”
The Taiz province official was unable to confirm whether the suspect belonged to the terrorist group.
Aden has been the seat of Yemen's internationally recognised government since Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized the capital Sanaa in 2014.
The conflict escalated the following year when a Saudi-led coalition intervened in support of the government.
Fighting has eased over the past year, although sporadic attacks continue.
An arrest warrant has been issued for the suspect, according to an Interior Ministry telegram seen by AFP.
Taiz is controlled by the government but is surrounded and blockaded by areas under Houthi control.
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and militants loyal to ISIS have thrived in the chaos of Yemen's war.
The Saudi-led coalition as well as the US have clamped down on militants in Yemen.
On Friday, the WFP said it was “deeply saddened” by the death of its employee.
The agency later announced that “Moayad Hameidi, a Jordanian national, died shortly after being transferred to hospital.”
He “was shot and killed by unknown gunmen on Friday afternoon in Turbah”, it added.
“A dedicated humanitarian, Hameidi, had worked for WFP for 18 years, including a previous stint in Yemen as well as time in Sudan, Syria, and Iraq.”
WFP's Yemen country director, Richard Ragan, said: “Any loss of life in humanitarian service is an unacceptable tragedy.”
The UN special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, said in a tweet: “Our deepest condolences go out to Moayad's family, friends, and colleagues. And we mourn his tragic loss with the humanitarian community in Yemen.”
Reem Al Hashimy, the UAE's Minister of State for International Co-operation, said that the Emirates strongly condemned the killing and rejects all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at destabilising security and stability, Wam reported.
Ms Al Hashimy expressed her sincere condolences and sympathy to the government of Jordan, the family of the victim and to the World Food Programme, reiterating that targeting humanitarian aid staff is a flagrant violation of all international treaties that ensure their protection.
US special envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking has condemned the “tragic” killing of Hameidi and expressed deepest condolences to his family and to the WFP family.
In 2018, Lebanese aid worker Hanna Lahoud, who worked for the International Committee of the Red Cross, was killed by unknown assailants in Taiz province.
Results
5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 (Turf) 1,400m. Winner: Al Ajeeb W’Rsan, Pat Dobbs (jockey), Jaci Wickham (trainer).
5.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 (T) 1,400m racing. Winner: Mujeeb, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel.
6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 90,000 (T) 2,200m. Winner: Onward, Connor Beasley, Abdallah Al Hammadi.
6.30pm: Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Jewel Crown Prep Rated Conditions (PA) Dh 125,000 (T) 2,200m. Winner: Somoud, Richard Mullen, Jean de Roualle.
7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup Handicap (PA) Dh 70,000 (T) 1,600m. Winner: AF Arrab, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel.
7.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh 90,000 (T) 1,400m. Winner: Irish Freedom, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
A new relationship with the old country
Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates
The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:
ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.
ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.
ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.
ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.
DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.
Signed
Geoffrey Arthur Sheikh Zayed
Jetour T1 specs
Engine: 2-litre turbocharged
Power: 254hp
Torque: 390Nm
Price: From Dh126,000
Available: Now
Museum of the Future in numbers
- 78 metres is the height of the museum
- 30,000 square metres is its total area
- 17,000 square metres is the length of the stainless steel facade
- 14 kilometres is the length of LED lights used on the facade
- 1,024 individual pieces make up the exterior
- 7 floors in all, with one for administrative offices
- 2,400 diagonally intersecting steel members frame the torus shape
- 100 species of trees and plants dot the gardens
- Dh145 is the price of a ticket
Tips to avoid getting scammed
1) Beware of cheques presented late on Thursday
2) Visit an RTA centre to change registration only after receiving payment
3) Be aware of people asking to test drive the car alone
4) Try not to close the sale at night
5) Don't be rushed into a sale
6) Call 901 if you see any suspicious behaviour
