UN chief welcomes launch of UN inspection to facilitate flow of goods to Yemen

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Tuesday welcomed the launch of the operations of the United Nations Verification and Inspection Mechanism (UNVIM) to facilitate the unimpeded flow of goods to Yemen, said a statement of Ban's spokesman.

The mechanism, based in Djibouti in the Horn of Africa, was launched Monday following a request by the Government of Yemen to facilitate the unimpeded flow of commercial goods and services to Yemen, while ensuring compliance with the arms embargo established pursuant to Security Council resolution 2216 (2015), said the statement.

"It should provide fast and impartial clearance services for shipping companies transporting commercial imports and bilateral assistance to Yemeni ports outside of the authority of the Government of Yemen," said the statement.

Ban further noted that the launch of UNVIM is part of broader efforts to bring relief to suffering Yemeni civilians, which he hopes will "culminate in a negotiated political settlement between the Yemeni parties through UN-mediated talks currently underway in Kuwait."

In February, the UN Security Council renewed sanction measures on Yemen, including assets freeze and travel ban, for another year until Feb. 26, 2017, after determining that the situation in Yemen continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security. Endit