(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) WASHINGTON, May 11 (KUNA) -- One of US Secretary of State John Kerry's top advisers has expressed his gratitude to Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah for hosting the Yemen peace talks while on a visit to meet the UN Special Envoy to Yemen, State Department Spokesperson Elizabeth Trudeau told reporters Wednesday.
Undersecretary for Political Affairs Thomas Shannon met with Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed in Kuwait to discuss the status of the talks, and "how the US can help end the conflict in Yemen to best continue to support a return to a peaceful, political transition," Trudeau said.
Shannon also met with Yemeni officials and other parties in the negotiation process, and emphasized the Obama Administration's "strong support" for the efforts to reach a deal.
The Cessation of Hostilities agreement in Yemen "has been broadly holding, despite some violations," Trudeau noted, and said Shannon "welcomed the stated commitment of the parties to continue" to adhere to it.
"He also welcomed the incremental progress made on detainee and prisoner issues," she added.
Talks officially began in Kuwait City on April 10, but have encountered several delays. (end) ys.ibi