Discussions over extending the nationwide truce in Yemen are no longer covering whether it would be accepted or not, but tackling new suggestions to the ceasefire itself, revealed several diplomatic sources to Asharq Al-Awsat.
The truce is set to end on Tuesday.
Sources expected the Taiz province to be a priority in the new agreement.
Taiz city has been under siege by the Iran-backed Houthi militias for seven years.
Reopening routes to the city has been a main demand by the legitimate forces in the truce and the Houthis have predictably stalled in agreeing to it.
Meanwhile, two political sources in Sanaa told Asharq Al-Awsat that an Omani delegation had arrived in the Houthi-held capital for talks with the militia leaders.
The Houthis have set up a headquarters in the Omani capital, Muscat, and it is at times like these that the sultanate invests its relations with the militias to persuade or pressure them to accept the UN proposals.
Western sources also expect UN envoy Hans Grundberg to visit Yemen to push forward the truce extension.
The two-month ceasefire was first approved and had taken effect in April. It was extended again in June.
Besides the ceasefire, its main points include the launch of passenger flights to and from Sanaa airport, allowing the flow oil derivatives through Hodeidah port and reopening routes to Taiz.
The Presidential Leadership Council had on Saturday revealed that Foreign Minister Dr. Ahmed bin Mubarak had received a message from Grundberg over the truce and its extension.
It did not provide more details, but the message probably included new proposals related to the truce.
The United States had also been pushing for the truce extension, with its envoy Tim Lenderking recently visiting the region.
