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UN special envoy for Yemen urges all parties to respect ceasefire agreement

Xinhua, December 19, 2015 Adjust font size:

The UN special envoy for Yemen on Friday urged all parties involved to respect a newly reached ceasefire deal.

Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Yemen, said he is deeply concerned at the numerous reports of violations of the previously pledged cessation of hostilities.

He urged all parties to respect this agreement and allow unhindered access for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the most affected districts of Yemen.

According to a statement issued Friday by his office, the Special Envoy held several sessions with the participants on the fourth day of the peace talks in Switzerland.

The discussions focused mostly on security issues in Yemen, in light of the alarming developments on the ground, the statement said.

In the Special Envoy's latest meeting with the heads of delegations, the statement said, they all renewed their commitment for a ceasefire, and a coordination and de-escalation committee has been created to strengthen adherence to the cessation of hostilities.

The bilateral and group consultations between the Special Envoy and the delegations will continue on Saturday to build on what was agreed upon in previous days and continue efforts to find an urgent political resolution to the crisis in Yemen.

Earlier on Thursday participants to UN-brokered consultations aiming to find a lasting settlement in war-torn Yemen reached an agreement, enabling the full and immediate resumption of humanitarian assistance to the city of Taizz.

Now in their fourth day, the consultations which involve 24 Yemeni representatives and advisors, are taking place in view of implementing a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire, improving the humanitarian situation on the ground and returning to a peaceful and orderly political transition. Endit