The UN envoy, "decisive steps" to bring peace to Yemen

The UN special envoy for Yemen has urged warring parties to take "serious steps" towards lasting peace in the country battered by an eight-year crisis. During a visit to Japan on Monday, Hans Grundberg stressed the the need to maintain and intensify international advocacy for a sustainable political solution capable of ushering in a future of lasting peace and development in Yemen.

“This is a critical moment. The parties have a responsibility to build on the progress achieved and to take serious steps towards a lasting peace", he said. "The coherence of the international community and its unity of objectives on Yemen will be key assets in this regard". In parallel with the efforts of the A United Nations led by Grundberg, Oman has also sought to bridge the gaps between Yemen's Ansarullah resistance movement and Saudi Arabia.

Peace efforts aim to extend a UN-brokered ceasefire, which is still pending. largely in place despite its official expiration last October.In April, delegations from Oman and Saudi Arabia held peace talks with Ansarullah officials in Sana'a.