RIYADH: Yemen’s Presidential Council said alleviating the suffering of the people and shoring up the economy were among the priorities for the newly formed body.

The new governing structure for Yemen was announced last week in a change seen as a positive step to resolving some of the critical issues facing the country.

A meeting between the council and government discussed the priorities of the current term as well as charting a new path for the war-torn country, a statement from the council said.

The complementarity of national efforts and unity will characterize a new phase of work, the council said.

Rashad Al-Alimi, the president of the council, characterized the upcoming period as exceptional and said “each of us should assume his responsibility,” adding that he welcomes a just and comprehensive peace.

Tim Lenderking, the US special envoy for Yemen, called for building a positive momentum to reach a permanent ceasefire and urged all parties to cooperate with the UN-led peace initiative.

The US State Department urged the council “to work closely with the Prime Minister and his government to strengthen basic services and economic stability as soon as possible, so that Yemenis can receive the tangible benefits of recent reforms.”