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UN chief welcomes start of Yemen peace talks in Switzerland

Xinhua, December 16, 2015 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday welcomed the start of the Yemen peace talks in Switzerland, hoping "the talks beginning today will result in the end of the military conflict," said a statement of Ban's spokesman.

Ban believed that peaceful and inclusive dialogue is the only way to end the suffering and rebuild confidence, trust and mutual respect amongst the Yemeni people following months of civil war which left thousands of people dead, said the statement.

Ban also welcomed the declaration of cessation of hostilities accompanying the opening of the talks, it said. "He urges all parties to adhere to this cessation of hostilities and work towards a permanent and lasting end to the conflict."

Moreover, Ban expressed hope that the talks will result in the end of the military conflict in Yemen and mark the country's return to the path of sustainable peace, it said.

While urging "the parties at the peace talks to engage constructively and in good faith with each other," he called on them to agree on practical steps that will end the suffering of the Yemeni people and improve their daily lives, it said.

Furthermore, he encouraged all countries of the region and other United Nations member states to create a conducive environment for the talks, it said.

Talks brokered by the UN started in Geneva on Tuesday. 24 Yemeni representatives and advisors are in the negotiation for a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire, an improved humanitarian situation and the return to a peaceful and orderly political transition. Enditem