UNSC welcomes Yemen truce, hopes for political settlement

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The UN Security Council on Thursday welcomed the renewal of the truce in Yemen and hoped that it would lead to a comprehensive political settlement, the Office of the spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General said in a statement.

According to the statement, "The members of the Security Council welcomed the 2 August renewal of the truce in Yemen, which remains the most significant opportunity for peace and the protection of civilians that Yemen has witnessed in years."

The Security Council emphasized that the truce has provided a "stable foundation to progress with talks on economic and security tracks and to embark on in-depth and inclusive discussions on the political track."

In addition, the Security Council said it hopes the full implementation of the truce would provide an opportunity to reach an inclusive, comprehensive political settlement, the statement read.

In early April, a two-month ceasefire was declared under the auspices of the United Nations and supported by all parties.

Yemen warring parties renew truce for two months: UN

On Tuesday, the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, announced that Yemen's warring parties have agreed to extend the truce for another two months just hours before it was due to expire.

"This truce extension includes a commitment from the parties to intensify negotiations to reach an expanded truce agreement as soon as possible," Grundberg said in a statement.

"The expanded truce proposal would provide for reaching an agreement on a transparent and effective disbursement mechanism for the regular payment of civil servant salaries and civilian pensions, the opening of roads in Taiz and other governorates, opening additional destinations to and from Sana’a International Airport, and providing fuel and its regular flow of fuel to the ports of Hudaydah," he added.

"The main objective of the current truce continues to be to provide tangible relief to civilians and to create a conducive environment for reaching a peaceful settlement to the conflict through a comprehensive political process," Grundberg said.

Al-Mashat: Extending armistice linked to stopping Saudi aggression

On his part, the Head of Yemen’s Supreme Political Council, Mahdi Al-Mashat, underscored on Sunday the necessity for the Saudi-led coalition to end the war and siege on Yemen. 

During a meeting with a visiting Omani team in the Yemeni capital Sanaa, Al-Mashat highlighted the significance of a long-term peace accord that guarantees the Yemeni people's sovereignty and independence.

He went on to say that the Yemeni people want an end to the Saudi-led aggression, the lifting of the crippling siege on the crisis-stricken country, and the implementation of the provisions of the UN-backed ceasefire, such as the normal operation of Sanaa airport, the reopening of Al-Hudaydah port, and the payment of employees' salaries.

Al-Mashat emphasized that an optimal solution to these concerns will be critical in easing people's suffering and creating a favorable environment for attaining peace.

It is noteworthy that UNICEF Representative to Yemen Philippe Duamelle stressed that 113 children were killed or maimed, since the announcement of the truce in April, according to the UN verified numbers. 

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