The Yemeni government and the Houthi group, known as Ansarullah, will start UN-brokered talks in Geneva on December 15, UN envoy to Yemen said in statement on Monday.
Ismail Ould Cheikh said the Yemeni factions will hold a series of face to face consultations that will seek to establish a permanent and comprehensive ceasefire and secure improvements to the humanitarian situation and a return to a peaceful and orderly political transition.
“Only a political solution will end the crisis in Yemen,” said Cheikh. “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.”
Eight negotiators and four advisors for the government, the Houthis and other relevant parties will participate in the talks to be chaired by Cheikh, the statement said.
The talks aim to develop a plan for the implementation of Security Council Resolutions, including Resolution 2216 which will bring the country back to a peaceful and orderly transition based on the GCC Initiative and the outcomes of the national dialogue, it added.
Cheikh called on all parties to
engage in good faith in search of a durable political solution and to respect a full cessation of hostilities as from 15 December to pave the way for productive talks and give Yemenis respite from the violence of recent months.
The armed conflict which began after ousting the government has entered its ninth month.
In late March, the Saudi-led coalition launched a military operation to restore the government's legitimacy. The operation included a blockade on all Yemeni sea, land and air ports which has deepened the humanitarian suffering.
In its latest report on the situation in the country, the UN said half of the population are one step away from famine.
Around 82% of Yemen's population are now in need of humanitarian aid.
Lack of supplies, primarily due to the blockade, forced public facilities including hospitals and power plants to shut down. All basic services have deteriorated as a result.
Around14 million people lack access to healthcare, 19 million lack access to safe water, 14 million are food insecure and 320.000 acutely malnourished children, the UN said lately.