UNITED NATIONS, June 17 (Xinhua) -- The top UN envoy for Yemen saw positive developments in the country's peace process amid challenges and expressed confidence in a settlement of the conflict.

"Ending the conflict in Yemen can only be achieved through a comprehensive political solution. Opportunities for compromise are still readily available for the parties," said Martin Griffiths on Monday. "With the support of this (Security) Council, I remain confident that the parties can reach a comprehensive and peaceful settlement to the conflict in Yemen."

In a briefing to the Security Council, Griffiths, who was last month accused by the Yemeni government of bias in favor of Houthi rebels, reaffirmed his personal commitment and that of the United Nations "to pursue an impartial and inclusive political process based on national ownership and in full respect to Yemen's sovereignty, independence, unity and territorial integrity."

He said the parties have sustained the reduction in violence across the Hodeidah governorate for six months since the Stockholm Agreement entered into force.

During the five months prior to the cease-fire, fighting resulted in more than 1,300 civilian casualties in the governorate. In the five months following the cease-fire, the number of civilian casualties was reduced by two-thirds, said Griffiths, the UN secretary-general's special envoy for Yemen.

While deeply concerned by continued violence and civilian casualties, he said the overall de-escalation continues to benefit the people of the city and the humanitarian response.

The Redeployment Coordination Committee members from both the Yemeni government and the Houthis have continued to engage constructively with Gen. Michael Lollesgaard, chair of the committee, on the plans for the redeployment of their forces from the port of Hodeidah and two other smaller seaports, he said.

The general remained positive that an agreement on both phases of the redeployment can be achieved, said Griffiths.

However, he was disappointed by the lack of progress in other aspects of the Stockholm Agreement.

Despite an understanding on Taiz, another front-line city in the Yemeni civil war, the military and political situation in the city is extremely complex and fragile, to the detriment of the population, said Griffiths.

He was also dismayed by the lack of progress on the exchange of prisoners.

"More than any other issue, tangible progress on the exchange of prisoners would indicate the seriousness of the parties to build confidence in a significant humanitarian gesture of good faith," he said. "This has yet to happen despite the continued efforts of my office and the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross)."

He called on the parties to prioritize this issue and demonstrate the required flexibility to make it a reality, for the sake of peace and for the sake of thousands of Yemeni families who long to be reunited.

Griffiths voiced concern over escalation in other parts of Yemen and Houthi attacks on civilian infrastructure in southern Saudi Arabia.

"I have repeatedly warned that war can take peace off the table, and in the context of wider regional tensions, the risks to the political process have never looked more stark. I call for steps to be taken to de-escalate tensions for the benefit of the Yemeni people and regional security." Enditem

Related

Go to Forum >>0 Comment(s)