MOSCOW (Debriefer)--President of the southern transitional council Aidarous Al-Zubaidi on Monday affirmed his commitment to what he called the goals and ambitions of the southern people, including their right to self-determination and restore their identity and pre-1990. state.
The statement was made as he and an accompanying delegation from the council were received by Russian deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov.
The meeting represents an opportunity to highlight a history of friendship and cooperation at all levels between south Yemen and the Russian Federation, he said, pointing to common positions towards many issues in the south and the region, including coordination to face challenges and threats to international navigation at the Bab Al-Mandab Strait and war on terror.
Moreover, he stressed the importance of the Riyadh agreement signed by the council and Yemen's internationally recognised government, calling for engaging the south as a main party in the UN-sponsored political process.
He warned of attempts to ignore the south and its legitimate cause.
Bogdanov said the meeting came within continued communications with the council.
Russia supports a political process which guarantees an end to the war and addressing all issues in Yemen, on top of which is the southern cause.
Observers said the council is exploiting its participation in the government to use Moscow as an international destination to gain support for its secession bids.
