Aden 'is key to victory'

(MENAFN- Arab News) ADEN: Yemen's Prime Minister Khaled Bahah made a symbolic visit to Aden on Saturday two weeks after loyalist forces ousted Houthi terrorists from the city.
Bahah became the highest ranking official to return to the southern city since the government announced its liberation in mid-July.
Bahah who is also vice president was followed by officials whose task will be to restore normality and public services to the city.
Bahah who is also vice president in Yemen's internationally recognized government moved out of Yemen with President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and his team in March when the terrorists entered Aden.
An airport source said Bahah flew in on a Saudi military plane and promised in an arrival statement that 'normal life' would return to a 'liberated Aden.'
He visited several districts and was briefed on damage to the presidential palace state broadcaster and military headquarters a security source said.
He was also to visit people wounded in the fighting during his hours-long symbolic visit a member of his delegation said.
Bahah later flew out to Abu Dhabi a government source said.
'Aden is the key to victory' in reconquering the country the premier's spokesman Rajeh Badi told Al-Arabiya television adding that Hadi could soon also return 'at any time.'
Several government officials also arrived in Aden on a separate plane from Saudi Arabia said Human Rights Minister Ezzedine Al-Isbahi.
They will supervise work under way to reopen public buildings including the resumption of broadcasts at state television and radio and restore services in the city.
Aden residents were anxious to see Bahah's visit as a sign that conditions were going to improve in the city.
'We need to see some progress toward restoring normality to the city' said Khaled Mirshed a resident of Aden.
The interior and transport ministers toured parts of Aden in mid-July during a brief visit to assess the damage.
They also looked at ways to fully reopen the ports and airport to allow the delivery of desperately needed relief supplies.
The head of the Red Crescent in Aden Ahmed Mansur said the charity had received food aid from the UAE and was able to hand out 20000 rations to residents of three neighborhoods.
A planeload of aid also arrived from Qatar on Saturday.
An AFP correspondent who toured Aden said authorities have managed to partly reopen main roads.