The United Nations Security Council has welcomed the Agreement on Peace, Friendship and Comprehensive Cooperation signed by the President of Eritrea and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister in Jeddah last Sunday. In a press statement, members of the Council “expressed appreciation” to the role played by Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz and the Saudi government in facilitating this agreement. “They took note of the commitment of the two countries to open a new era of peace, friendship and comprehensive cooperation as well as promote regional peace and security,” the statement said. Council members also welcomed the meeting between the President of Djibouti and his Eritrean counterpart on Monday in Jeddah, under the auspices of King Salman. They expressed hope that this meeting “will open a new chapter in the relations between Djibouti and Eritrea and encourage the two countries to continue to engage in meaningful dialogue.” They noted that “these developments represent a historic and significant milestone with far-reaching positive consequences for the Horn of Africa and beyond.” “They commended the leaders of the region for their wisdom and courage in their continued effort to resolve disputes” and called upon them “to sustain these recent efforts and gains with a view to opening a new chapter of cooperation thereby ensuring greater peace, stability and prosperity in the region.” UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also lauded Saudi Arabia for facilitating the agreement between Ethiopia and Eritrea. Civilians "continue to bear the brunt of the war in Yemen,” Guterres told a press conference in New York. “Missiles continue to be fired by Houthi forces into Saudi Arabia.” “We are all aware of the difficulties being encountered by my Special Envoy (Martin Griffiths) in his tireless efforts to create conditions for dialogue and for a political process.  I call on all sides to engage seriously — and I call on their supporters to avoid steps that fuel the fighting,” the UN chief said. “Alongside these prolonged nightmares, we can see progress in some situations.” He said he had joined the leaders of Ethiopia and Eritrea to celebrate their declaration of peace. “I applaud their vision in opening a new chapter in their relations, and I thank Saudi Arabia for facilitating the agreement.” Asked about the signing of a note verbale on the humanitarian medical air bridge with Houthi militia representatives, Guterres said: “We only recognize one government of Yemen, but, as we do in many other parts of the world, for humanitarian action, it is absolutely essential to deal with de facto authorities that exist on the ground.” This initiative “doesnt mean at all the recognition of a Houthi government, and it doesnt change at all our policy, which is to recognize only one legitimate government in Yemen,” he added. “We have repeatedly condemned the use of ballistic missiles against civilian targets in Saudi Arabia by the Houthis. Its clear; it has been our position, very clear,” he said in response to a question by Asharq Al-Awsat.