UN's Yemen peace plan delivered to warring parties

By Zakaria al-Kamali

SANAA, Yemen (AA) - A peace plan for Yemen was presented to a delegation representing Houthi rebels and former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, the UN envoy to the country said Tuesday.

Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said he had handed over the roadmap to reach a political solution in Yemen, which has been wracked by conflict for two years.

“Another copy of the plan had been given to the Yemeni government’s delegation at its temporary residence in the Saudi capital Riyadh,” Ould Cheikh said at a news conference at Sanaa International Airport following his two-day visit.

He said the plan included comprehensive security and political solutions for both sides.

A source close to the government delegation told Anadolu Agency that the proposal included a scheme for a Houthi withdrawal from cities and the formation of a unity government.

“The plan addressed other issues such as a referendum on the constitution and holding presidential elections,” the source said on condition of anonymity due to restrictions on talking to the media.

In April, the government and the rebels entered UN-sponsored peace talks in Kuwait which failed to produce a breakthrough, ending in August. Last week, a three-day truce between the warring parties was not extended.

More than 6,900 people have been killed and another 3 million forced to leave their homes since the conflict erupted in late 2014 when the Houthis and their allies overran Sanaa and other parts of the country, forcing the Saudi-backed government to flee to Riyadh.

The conflict escalated in March when a Saudi-led air campaign sought to reverse the Houthi gains.