The UN special envoy for Yemen urged both parties of the war to take "serious steps" toward lasting peace in light of intensified mediation efforts to resolve the eight-year conflict.

Hans Grundberg stressed during a visit to Japan on Monday the need to strengthen global advocacy for a sustainable political settlement that would shape Yemen's future of durable peace and development.

He noted what a "critical time" this is, emphasizing that "the parties have "a responsibility to build on the progress achieved and take serious steps toward lasting peace," and adding that "the coherence of the international community and its unity of objective on Yemen will be pivotal assets in this regard."

In parallel with Grundberg's efforts, Oman has also been trying to close gaps between Yemen's Ansar Allah movement and Saudi Arabia. The peace efforts aim to prolong an UN-brokered ceasefire, which is in place despite last October's official expiry date. In April, Omani and Saudi delegations held peace talks with Ansar Allah officials in Sanaa.

‘US to disrupt peace process'

The Al-Masirah broadcaster reported on Monday that Washington has stepped up its "interferences" in Yemen, referring to meetings between the US Ambassador to Yemen Stephen Fagin and members of the so-called presidential leadership council, Faraj al-Bahsani and Sultan Ali Al-Arada. 

The report said that during both meetings, Fagin advised the council not to pay the salaries of state employees out of oil revenues, adding that "despite being announced that meetings come to 'discuss peace efforts and a political settlement in Yemen,' they have completely different goals." 

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"They come within the framework of the counter-move taken by the Americans to undermine the Omani mediation efforts and thwart the efforts to end the aggression against Yemen."

Ansar Allah chief Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi accused the United States last week of "obstructing real peace" and "fair entitlements for our dear people." 

By enlisting the assistance of some of its allies, like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia started a brutal war of aggression against Yemen in March 2015.

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