UNITED NATIONS, Oct 1 (NNN-XINHUA) – UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, yesterday urged all relevant parties in Yemen, including the government forces and their allies, the Houthi rebels and their international backers, to “choose peace for good.”
The hiatus since Apr 2 has been twice renewed, providing the longest period of relative calm since the beginning of the intensified conflict in 2015, the secretary-general said.
“I strongly urge the Yemeni parties not only to renew but also to expand the truce’s terms and duration, in line with the proposal presented to them by my special envoy, Hans Grundberg.”
The UN chief said, the truce had “delivered tangible benefits and much needed relief to the Yemeni people, including a significant reduction in violence and civilian casualties.”
It has also allowed an increase in fuel deliveries, via the main Red Sea port of Hodeidah, and the resumption of international flights, to and from the Houthi-controlled airport, in the capital, Saana, for the first time in nearly six years.
“Yet more needs to be done, to achieve its full implementation, including reaching an agreement on the reopening of roads in Taiz,” in the south, and other governorates, the secretary-general added.
Guterres strongly urged all those involved in the long-running conflict to “seize this opportunity.”
“This is the moment to build on the gains achieved, and embark on a path towards the resumption of an inclusive and comprehensive political process, to reach a negotiated settlement to end the conflict. The United Nations will spare no efforts to support the parties in this endeavour,” he said.– NNN-XINHUA
