US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has spoken with Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council President Dr. Rashed Al-Alimi, affirming its role for ending the Yemeni conflict. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement on Thursday that the Secretary of spoke on Thursday with Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council President Dr. Rashad al-Alimi. Secretary Blinken congratulated President al-Alimi on his new position and welcomed the gathering in Aden this week of the Council, Cabinet, House of Representatives, and Shoura Council. The Secretary underscored the importance of an effective and transparent government that advances efforts to end the Yemeni conflict and protects human rights. He reaffirmed US support for the ongoing truce and the opportunity to provide relief to Yemenis by easing the movement of people and goods, including fuel. He further stressed the importance of opening roads to Taiz and other areas. Blinken underscored the need to seize the momentum from these positive developments to secure a lasting ceasefire and a comprehensive peace process. — Agencies