New York, USA - June 13, 2024

Storyline:
China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations Geng Shuang on Thursday called on the Houthi armed forces in Yemen to immediately and unconditionally release the detained U.N. personnel.

Speaking at a U.N. Security Council meeting on the situation in Yemen, Geng reiterated the call for the Houthi armed forces to respect the rights of commercial ships from all countries to navigate in the Red Sea waters in accordance with international law. He urged an end to acts of harassment and the maintenance of security in the Red Sea shipping lanes.

Geng also called on the relevant parties to exercise restraint and cease actions that escalate tensions.

At the meeting, United Nations' Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg reported that a total of 13 U.N. staff members and five employees of international non-governmental organizations were detained by the Houthi armed forces last week. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged the Houthi armed forces to respect international law and immediately and unconditionally release all U.N. and non-governmental organization personnel, and to refrain from arbitrarily detaining civilians.

Shotlist:
New York, USA - June 13, 2024:
FILE: U.N. Headquarters, New York City - June 29, 2023
1. U.N. headquarters building;
FILE: U.N. Headquarters, New York City - June 26, 2023
2. U.N. flag;
U.N. headquarters, New York City - June 13, 2024
3. U.N. Security Council meeting in progress;
4. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Geng Shuang, deputy permanent representative of China to United Nations:
"We support the international community in increasing humanitarian assistance to Yemen and helping alleviate the humanitarian situation there. We hope that the donors will fulfill their commitments as soon as possible. All parties should support the Yemeni government's efforts to develop the economy and improve the people's livelihoods. China supports the Secretary-General's statement expressing grave concern over the recent detention of U.N. personnel in Yemen, and calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all U.N. personnel.";
5. United Nations' Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg speaking via video link;
FILE: Yemen - March 2024
6. Various of cityscape, buildings, traffic;
Sanaa, Yemen - May 30, 2024
7. Various of traffic.

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