The new UN envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, announced today, Friday, that he will soon start a tour that includes Arab countries and Iran in an effort to resume peace efforts, calling for a halt to the fighting in Marib and the opening of Sanaa airport.
Al-Jazeera correspondent Murad Hashem quoted Grundberg as saying, during a briefing to the UN Security Council, the first since taking office, that he would soon visit Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Muscat and Tehran.
The Swedish diplomat added that he will meet in the Saudi capital, Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi, and that he is looking forward to meeting the Houthis.
He stressed the need for the parties to the conflict to engage in a comprehensive peace process without preconditions, noting that he is evaluating previous diplomatic efforts and working to crystallize an approach on how to achieve peace in Yemen.
The UN envoy indicated that the situation (in Yemen) becomes more complex the longer the stalemate continues, saying that it will not be easy to resume a peaceful and inclusive political transition.
Grundberg also said that external parties should contribute to stopping the war in Yemen, explaining that this conflict affects the waterways and the stability of the region.
Riyadh Agreement
The UN envoy indicated that the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement, concluded in 2019 between the Yemeni government and the Southern Transitional Council, still faces challenges.
Grundberg said that violence is still continuing in the southern governorates of Yemen.
He added that the government is not performing its duties from Aden.
Battles in Marib between the government army and the Houthis have been going on for months (Reuters)
Marib battles
In his intervention at the UN Security Council, Grundberg stressed the need to stop the months-long battles in Marib between the government army and the Houthis.
He said that since early 2020, the focus has been on the ongoing Houthi offensive on Marib, in which thousands of people have been killed.
In this context, Grundberg referred to the humanitarian cost of the battles, noting that civilians, including many displaced people who sought refuge in Marib, live in constant fear.
Speaking about the humanitarian situation, the UN envoy said that Sanaa airport must be opened, and work should resume at the port of Hodeidah in order to deliver aid to Yemenis.