UN envoy calls for political will of Yemeni decision-makers to end war

UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- The UN special envoy for Yemen on Tuesday called for political will of the decision-makers in Yemen to end the war, which has resulted in the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

"Only Yemeni decision-makers are able to stop the war and the bloodshed," Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, the UN secretary-general's special envoy for Yemen, told the Security Council.

He said the parties backed away from a peace proposal at the last minute due to lack of political will.

"I would like to announce, for the first time, that we were about to reach agreement on a peace proposal developed in consultation with the parties, but they refused to sign in the last minute," said Cheikh Ahmed.

"In the end of the consultations, it became clear that the Houthis were not prepared to make concessions on the proposed security arrangements. This has been a major stumbling block toward reaching a negotiated solution," he added.

The decision-makers in this conflict perceive concessions as weakness and dissent as a threat, he noted.

Regrettably they have consistently taken irresponsible and provocative actions, disregarding the daily suffering of Yemenis, he said.

"We do have a peace roadmap for Yemen. The practical suggestions to launch it and build confidence among the parties have been agreed upon. The only part missing is the commitment of parties to make concessions and give priority to the national interests. This is what makes us doubtful of their real intention to end this war," he added.

He called on the parties to cease hostilities, reactivate negotiations, make the culture of coexistence prevail over the language of war so that Yemen becomes a beacon of light in the Middle East and a model for peace and security.

Cheikh Ahmed was briefing the UN Security Council for the last time as he is to step down at the end of the month. He will be succeeded by Martin Griffiths of Britain. Enditem