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<\/a><\/p>\nBy Aziz El Yaakoubi<\/p>\n
RIYADH (Reuters) – The United Nations envoy for Yemen said on Tuesday that he was encouraged by the “depth and seriousness” of talks between stakeholders in Yemen, including in a visit by Saudi and Omani delegations to Sanaa.<\/p>\n
Saudi and Omani envoys are holding peace talks with Houthi officials in Sanaa this week as Riyadh seeks a permanent ceasefire to end its military involvement in the country’s long-running war. <\/p>\n
The United Nations is not directly involved in Sanaa’s negotiations but it hopes to resume a peaceful political process if a ceasefire agreement is reached.<\/p>\n
Hans Grundberg said he was working with all relevant actors to ensure that current efforts are in support of the U.N. mediation.<\/p>\n
“My role has consistently remained focused on resuming an inclusive, Yemeni-led political process. Only such a process can deliver a sustainable settlement and bring about a future of durable peace and development,” Grundberg said in a statement sent to Reuters. <\/p>\n
The talks in Sanaa signal some progress in the Oman-mediated consultations between Saudi and Houthi officials, which run in parallel to U.N. peace efforts. The peace initiatives have gained momentum after arch-rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to re-establish ties in a deal brokered by China.<\/p>\n
Sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, have told Reuters that the Saudi-Houthi talks are focused on a full reopening of Houthi-controlled ports and the Sanaa airport, payment of wages for public servants from oil revenues, rebuilding efforts, and a timeline for foreign forces to exit the country.<\/p>\n
Grundberg said he welcomed any bilateral engagement that provides “an environment more conducive for a political process to start”.<\/p>\n
Yemen’s war is seen as one of several proxy battles between Iran and Saudi Arabia. The Houthis, aligned with Iran, ousted a Saudi-backed government from Sanaa in late 2014, and have de facto control of north Yemen, saying they are rising up against a corrupt system and foreign aggression.<\/p>\n
They have been fighting against a Saudi-led military alliance since 2015 in a conflict that has killed hundreds of thousands and left 80% of Yemen’s population dependent on humanitarian aid.<\/p>\n
\n(Reporting by Aziz El Yaakoubi; Editing by William Maclean and Jonathan Oatis)<\/p>\n
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