UN envoy works on path to guarantee success to Kuwait consultations on Yemen

(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) (Roundup) KUWAIT April 30 (KUNA) -- The UN Special Envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmad is working on a path to guarantee success for the ongoing "Kuwait consultations" in order to reach a final settlement for the Yemeni crisis through separate and joint talks with the negotiating delegations.

But according to observers the key for such desperately-aspired success lies in the hands of the Yemenis; they have to engage themselves sincerely in the talks with flexibility and a desire for peace to proceed for a final solution that ends the dilemma and halts the sufferings of Yemenis from the scourge of war.

Ten days after the launch of the UN-backed talks in Kuwait all parties have come to have an overall view of the major issues on the agenda. Ahmad is lavishing hard efforts to remove obstacles and converge views of the Yemeni parties.

Following separate talks with the Yemeni delegations to the talks on Thursday the UN envoy held a joint session on Saturday which discussed the framework proposed by the UN on the structure and the work mechanism of the political security and economic axioms for the coming period as well as listening to each side's point of view concerning withdrawals from cities security arrangements handing over weapons and detainees.

The Kuwait consultations among the delegations of the Yemeni government the General People's Congress and Ansarullah movement are part of the diplomatic efforts seeking a settlement for the Yemeni crisis in line with the UNSC resolution 2216 the GCC Initiative and Implementation Mechanism and the outcome of the Yemeni National Dialogue.

The agenda of he talks comprises a multi-point work plan that constitutes a solid base for launching the consultations.

Items on the plan include agreeing on transitional security measures calling on armed groups to withdraw from areas they seized handing over heavy and medium weapons to the State resuming a comprehensive political dialogue and forming a special committee of prisoners and detainees.

In a press conference following the joint session among the Yemeni stakeholders today the UN envoy said the talks were "positive and constructive and pave way for an understanding" for solving the crisis.

He added that that Ansarullah and the General People's Congress handed over a paper on their positions regarding withdrawal handover of weapons prisoners and political affairs.

The government delegation explained their views over regaining control over state institutions resumption of political process and prisoners.

Ahmad said the delegations' papers included their commitment to UN resolution 2216.

The delegations "are working on a general strategic framework that includes the proposals of the two teams builds on common grounds" he said.

The envoy added: "we have positive signs for a political understanding and we are working on removing all obstacles blocking a political understanding ... We have made a large stride with a common will and a strong determination to reach a solution.

"Peace in Yemen will only happen through a political solution and the consultations held in Kuwait should place the general and practical framework for this solution." Ahmad said all parties should a quick solution "but we have to be realistic. The war is more than a year old and it is impossible that it is solved in a day or two." He explained that sometimes the consultations were very deep and required thorough discussions with specific people while other talks required involvement of all participants.

Asked about the violations of the ceasefire he said they were monitoring security developments despite the relative camp in most areas of Yemen.

Ahmad said it was sad that the Yemeni people were "paying the price of failure of commitment" to the ceasefire.

Referring to safeguards to avoid future setbacks the envoy said that the consultations lasted for long to reach an agreement that guarantees security and consolidation of the ceasefire in Yemen and in the meantime identifies a clear path for future steps in line with the National Dialogue.

Real safeguards are establishing a serious dialogue and a solid agreement prompted by the will of all parties to end the crisis he said.

Ahmad added that he would meet with the Yemeni parties on Sunday to discuss their papers expressing hopes that the coming days would see convergence of views on all topics.

He referred to reports that the ceasefire in Yemen has been consolidated by 80 to 90 percent calling for serious efforts to restore security and calm to Ta'ez.

Referring to the humanitarian situation in Yemen the UN envoy said it "is a disaster." He added that humanitarian organizations were delivering aid in different parts of Yemen including Ta'ez which witnessed military hostilities.

Some 21 million Yemenis out of 25 million were in need of humanitarian supplies. Yemen he added was the world's second in terms of the number of malnourished children.

The war in Yemen must end in order to prevent the spread of extremist and terrorist groups he concluded. (end) om.msa