Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General for Yemen Hans Grundberg concluded a visit to Tehran as part of his efforts to pressure the Iran-backed Houthi militias to join peace efforts.
He met with Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and other senior Iranian officials.
“They exchanged views on the importance of making progress to advance an agreement on measures to improve living conditions in Yemen, a sustainable nationwide ceasefire, and the resumption of an inclusive political process under UN auspices,” said a statement from the envoy’s office on Monday.
“Grundberg emphasized the crucial role of the regional and international community in providing sustained support for the effort to achieve a lasting peace which addresses the aspirations of a wide range of Yemeni stakeholders,” it added.
Last month, the envoy visited London where he engaged in a series of meetings with Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, the Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, and the United Nations, as well as other senior officials from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Discussions included the latest developments in Yemen and United Nation's efforts to facilitate an agreement on measures to improve living conditions in Yemen, a nationwide ceasefire, and an inclusive intra-Yemeni political process under UN auspices, said a statement from Grundberg’s office.
The envoy “stressed the pressing need for a political solution to the Yemeni crisis, emphasizing the importance of the international community and Security Council member states working together in a concerted effort to bring Yemenis closer to the just peace they aspire to achieve.”
He also attended a roundtable discussion organized by the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Yemen, which brought together UK Members of Parliament dedicated to Yemen-related issues. The discussions encompassed the evolving situation in Yemen, and developmental aspects crucial for Yemen's recovery and the creation of conditions conducive to a sustainable peace process.
In spite of the deteriorating humanitarian conditions, the Houthis continue to reject all regional and international proposals to establish lasting peace in Yemen. Rather the militias continue to recruit more fighters and crack down on dissent.
They have also pursued military escalation on the ground with the Yemeni army announcing that it recently thwarted an infiltration attempt by the Houthis in the Taiz province.
