[06 October 2008]

SANA'A, Oct. 06 (Saba)- Minister of Local Administration Abdul-Qader Hilal discussed on Monday with US ambassador to Yemen Stephen Seche international support for applying the National Strategy for Local Governance.

In the meeting, Hilal affirmed government's adherence to the president's electoral program affirming boosting decentralization, activating role of local authority saying that the president " gives special attention to local authority."

Hilal presented detailed explanation to the ambassador on government's efforts over transforming into local governance of wider authorities saying that the government needs donor's moral and financial support for realizing local governance serving people's interests and solving problems resulting in centralization.

For his part the Seche expressed his country's support to Yemen's experience describing it as important. He also affirmed his embassy support to Yemen during its government's meetings with donors for providing needs of carrying out the strategy, highlighting governors' elections the country held last April.

MA

Saba