Yemen factions agree to truce in April

NEW YORK

Warring parties in Yemen have agreed to a truce to begin April 10 midnight, the UN Special Envoy for the country said Wednesday.

Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed also said the next round of peace talks are scheduled for April 18 in Kuwait.

The special envoy said five areas will be focused on during the talks, including the withdrawal of militias and armed groups, the handover of heavy weapons to the state, interim security arrangements, the restoration of state institutions and the resumption of inclusive political dialogue and the creation of a special committee for prisoners and detainees.

He said the parties are asked to present concept papers on each of the areas by April 3, and added that he aims to have some key state institutions function, such as the central bank, until the end of the conflict.

"In order to help Yemen preserve economic stability during this crisis ...preserving their functioning ... will facilitate a more expedient and efficient economic recovery after an agreement," he said.

Ahmed urged "good faith" and "a spirit of compromise" for the parties to enable a political solution.

He also asked them to "allow safe, rapid and unhindered access for humanitarian supplies to all affected governorates".