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2nd LD Writethru: Yemen to start ceasefire on April 10, says UN envoy

Xinhua, March 24, 2016 Adjust font size:

A nationwide cessation of hostilities in Yemen will start at midnight on April 10, the UN special envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said Wednesday.

Yemen's warring sides will begin peace talks in Kuwait on April 18, Ahmed added.

"The talks aim to reach a comprehensive agreement, which will end the conflict and allow the resumption of inclusive political dialogue in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 2216 (2015) and other relevant UNSC resolutions," said Ahmed.

According to the UN envoy, the talks will focus on five main areas, including the withdrawal of militias and armed groups, the handover of heavy weapons to the State, interim security arrangements, the restoration of state institutions and the resumption of inclusive political dialogue and the creation of a special committee for prisoners and detainees.

Participating parties have been asked by the envoy to present concept papers on each of these areas by April 3.

Previous attempts to implement a ceasefire in Yemen have failed to last for long, with each side accusing the other of immediately violating the ceasefire. Endit