SANAA, Apr 14 (NNN-YPA) – The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, said yesterday, the Houthi leaders have reaffirmed their commitment to the country’s current ceasefire, that started at the beginning of Ramadan.
Grundberg made the remarks at a news conference, held at the Sanaa International Airport, concluding his three-day visit to the Houthi-controlled capital of Yemen.
The UN envoy said, he and Houthi political leaders held discussions on “progress on the implementation of the truce and all its elements, as well as, ways to build on the truce as a step towards a comprehensive political solution to the conflict.”
“I received reaffirmed commitment to all aspects of implementing the truce,” Grundberg said.
He also pointed out the importance of allowing fuel ships to enter the strategic port of Hodeidah, which is a lifeline for the importation of essential commodities in the Houthi-controlled areas.
“Intense work and preparations are ongoing for the opening of Sanaa airport, for the first commercial flight in six years,” Grundberg added.
The country’s warring sides agreed to implement from Apr 2, a UN-brokered cease-fire that was meant to last two months.
The truce includes the halt of all ground, aerial and naval military offensive operations, across Yemen and its borders.
It also entailed facilitating the entry of 18 fuel ships into the port of Hodeidah, and allowing two commercial flights a week to and from the Sanaa International Airport.
The envoy also voiced his concern over reported violations of the ceasefire in some regions, adding that, “we need to be mindful of the challenges.”
Meanwhile, the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV reported that, Mahdi al-Mashat, a senior political leader of the Houthi movement, said, the group is committed to peace, but stressed that it can only be reached if the Saudi-led coalition stops imposing blockade on the Houthi-controlled areas.– NNN-YPA
