Representatives from the Yemeni government and the Houthi militia concluded an initial round of discussions without reaching an agreement on opening roads around the besieged province of Taiz in southwestern Yemen, said UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg in a statement late on Saturday. However, Grundberg described the results of the talks as "promising," noting that a proposal for the phased re-opening of roads around Taiz, "including an implementation mechanism and guarantees for the safety of civilian travelers," was drawn up based on the three-day discussions. The Yemeni-Yemeni talks on opening the blocked roads of Taiz and elsewhere began on May 25 in Jordan's capital Amman, and are part of the UN-brokered truce that came into effect on April 2. "I now call on the parties to conclude their internal deliberations urgently and deliver positive results to the Yemeni people," said Grundberg. "Lifting restrictions on the freedom of movement of people and goods will not only have a positive impact on alleviating the suffering of the Yemeni people and reviving the economy but will also help cultivate confidence in the political process," said the UN envoy. — Agencies
