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- The UN envoy condemned the Houthi military escalation in Marib and the surrounding areas
LONDON: A durable solution in Yemen can only be achieved through a negotiated political settlement, the UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg said on Thursday.
鈥淎 comprehensive negotiated political settlement is needed to end the violence once and for all, restore state institutions, pave the way for economic recovery and development, provide for accountable governance and the rule of law, and protect Yemenis鈥� human rights,鈥� Grundberg told the UN Security Council.
The envoy condemned the Houthi military escalation in Marib and the surrounding areas and said it 鈥渕ust stop.鈥�
He said that UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is following developments in Marib鈥檚 Abdiyah district closely.
The district been under a Houthi siege since Sept. 23, hindering movement of civilians and impeding humanitarian aid flows, including medical supplies, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said earlier this week.
鈥淲e reiterate the call on all parties to facilitate safe, timely and sustained humanitarian access to affected areas,鈥� Grundberg said.
The envoy also condemned Sunday鈥檚 attack on a convoy carrying the governor of Aden and the Yemeni agriculture minister.
鈥淎ttacks like this deepen distrust and undermine efforts towards stability, security, and peace,鈥� he said.
He also welcomed Yemeni Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed鈥檚 recent return to Aden and described it as 鈥渁n important step to enhance state institutions' ability to address urgent economic and basic service delivery.鈥�
鈥淪ustainable improvements won't be possible unless actors work together across political divides,鈥� Grundberg added.