Yemen envoy says discussions with Houthis were ‘positive’

The United Nations Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths said negotiations with Houthis in Muscat were positive, Al-Arabiya TV reported on Friday.

Griffiths discussed with the Houthis the commitment to a ceasefire and the resumption of peace negotiations, according to Al Arabiya.

On Wednesday Griffiths concluded a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia, where he met with senior Saudi and Yemeni officials to discuss the UN’s plan to achieve a comprehensive cease-fire.

He also held talks on easing restrictions imposed on the movement of people and goods to and from the country, and resuming the political process to end the conflict.

Griffiths held talks on “the critical situation in Marib and stressed that the battle for Marib must stop to allow diplomatic peace efforts to achieve positive results,” the UN said in a statement.

He also expressed hope that the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement would continue to progress and warned against the threat of further fragmentation in Yemen.