Yemeni Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ahmed Maysari has said that the country's authorities were ready to assist Russia in re-opening its consulate in the city of Aden, the temporary capital of the Yemeni official government, after its closure amid a military conflict in the country four years ago, local media have reported.

The Saba news agency reported that Maysari had made his offer during his meeting with Russian Ambassador to Yemen Vladimir Dedushkin, at which the Russian diplomat insisted that the consulate should be reinstated and re-equipped. During the talks, the two officials also discussed the political and humanitarian situation in Yemen, which has been rocked by the military conflict since 2015.

Maysari and Dedushkin also touched upon the issue of international support for the Yemeni government. The deputy prime minister expressed his appreciation for the assistance of the Russian government during the meeting.

The deputy prime minister also reportedly suggested that the possible re-opening of the Russian consulate in Aden would encourage other countries to open their diplomatic missions in the city.

According to Saba, Dedushkin also met with Yemeni Deputy Minister of Public Works Hussein Aqrabi in Aden. The two officials reportedly inspected the Russian consulate building damaged by the military conflict.

Russia evacuated its nationals from Aden and suspended the operations of its consulate in the city following the beginning of airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition against the Yemeni rebel Houthi movement in the area.

The coalition has been supporting the Yemeni government in its conflict with the rebels.

Various international organizations and human rights groups have pointed to the huge death toll caused by the conflict and an acute humanitarian situation due to famine and cholera in Yemen.

AFP.