Yemen: Put people first, Guterres urges, with extended and expanded truce |

In a UN statement on Friday General Secretary António Guterres declared that the time had come for government forces and their allies, along with the Houthi rebels and their international supporters “choose the world forever“.

The break since April 2 has been extended twice, providing the longest period of relative calm since the conflict began to escalate in 2015, Mr. Guterres said. In a statement calling for an extension of the truce earlier this month, Security Advisor said losses have dropped 60 percent since it started.

“I urge the Yemeni parties not only to resume, but also to increase the terms and duration of the trucein accordance with the proposal presented to them by my Special Envoy Hans Grundberg.”

In a tweet Thursday, Mr. Grundberg said he had “intense discussions” in the capital this week and said renewal and expansion was “a humanitarian imperative and a political imperative.”

“Tangible Benefits”

The head of the UN said the truce was “provided tangible benefits and much-needed assistance to the Yemeni peopleincluding a significant reduction in violence and civilian casualties throughout the country.”

It also enabled increased fuel supplies through the main port of Hudaydah on the Red Sea and the resumption of international flights to and from the Houthi-controlled airport in the capital Saana for the first time in almost six years.

“For now more needs to be done to achieve its full implementationincluding reaching an agreement to open roads in Taiz in the south and other governorates, the Secretary-General added.

Starting payroll payments to civil servants would further improve the daily lives of ordinary Yemenis, he said, proposing to address “long-term political, economic and military issues” that “would signal a significant shift towards finding long-term solutions.”

Live by one day

Mr Guterres urged all involved in the protracted conflict to “seize this opportunity”.

“This is the moment for consolidate the gains made and embark on the path to relaunch an inclusive and inclusive political processto reach a negotiated settlement to end the conflict. The United Nations will spare no effortWith support the parties in this endeavor.”