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New round of Yemen peace talks open in Switzerland

Xinhua, December 15, 2015 Adjust font size:

Consultations brokered by the United Nations (UN) aiming at finding a lasting settlement in war-torn Yemen started here on Tuesday.

Facilitated by UN Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, the consultations involved 24 Yemeni representatives and advisors in the negotiation for a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire, an improved humanitarian situation and the return to a peaceful and orderly political transition.

"The cessation of hostilities, which was called today, should mark the end of military violence in Yemen and the transition to progress based on negotiations, dialogue and consensus," Ahmed said in a statement.

"Making peace is a fundamental requirement to rebuild Yemen, rehabilitate the basic infrastructure, address the consequences of the war, provide the necessary environment to normalize life in all governorates, and resume economic activity," he added.

Facing a worsening humanitarian crisis and following previous Geneva-based consultations which failed to reach an agreement in June this year, the envoy urged all parties last week to search for "a durable political solution for Yemen, which would meet the legitimate aspirations of the Yemeni people for peace, stability, and prosperity."

UN agencies estimate that 82 percent of the Yemeni population are currently in need of some form of humanitarian aid. Endi