GENEVA—Yemen’s warring parties have agreed to hold peace talks in Switzerland next week, the U.N. special envoy said Monday.
Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed told reporters in Geneva that the talks would begin Dec. 15 in a venue to be determined. He pointed to “a number of good signs” that a cease-fire, which is to begin the same day, will be respected.
He said only Yemeni participants — not foreigners — would take part in the talks.
“Only a political solution will end the crisis in Yemen,” said Ould Cheikh Ahmed. “We strongly believe that the only way to end the suffering of the Yemeni people and to rebuild confidence, trust, and mutual respect is through peaceful and inclusive dialogue.”
“Making peace requires a lot of courage, personal sacrifice and tenacity,” he added. “I call on the parties to adhere to a cease-fire effective the 15th of December in order to create an environment conducive to peace talks, save lives, and give hope to the Yemeni people.”
