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UN chief urges end to conflict in Yemen

Xinhua, January 19, 2016 Adjust font size:

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called Tuesday on all warring parties in Yemen to commit to a comprehensive and permanent cease-fire to push forward peace talks facilitated by the UN, UAE state news agency WAM reported.

The UN chief made the appeal during his meeting with Yemeni Vice President and Prime Minister Khaled Mahfoudh Abdullah Bahah in Abu Dhabi, where he is attending the World Future Energy Summit.

He reiterated his deep concern over the continued conflict, mounting number of civilian causalities and alarming humanitarian crisis in Yemen, despite repeated calls from the international community for an end to the hostilities.

The year-long conflict between various factions has killed thousands of people, displaced 2.5 million and imperiled the food security of 7.6 million.

Ban exchanged views with the Yemeni vice president on how to renew the cease-fire and prepare for a new round of political negotiations.

He also stressed the need for all sides to implement confidence-building measures discussed in Switzerland last month, including the release of prisoners, and full and unhindered humanitarian access, including to the central town of Taiz.

The UAE is part of a Saudi-led coalition comprising nine Arab states to support Yemen's "legitimate" government of President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi.

The coalition has been airstriking on a daily basis the Iranian-backed Shiite Houthi group across Yemen since March 26, when President Hadi fled to the Saudi capital Riyadh to take refuge. Endit