A tangible progress has been achieved in the political process in Yemen as significant steps have been implemented within the first phase of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)-sponsored initiative and its protocol, the UN envoy to Yemen Jamal bin Omer said. In a press conference held here today, he said that there are political, security, economic and humanitarian challenges facing the Government of National Reconciliation in Yemen, pointing out that the international community will, always, be persistent in assisting Yemen during the next phase. Omer called the day of polling, currently taking place to select a Yemeni new president, as it thwarted a looming civil war and made sky-wide open prospects for building a new future of wide-scale participation, instead. -- SPA