SANAA, Jan. 5 -- The UN envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths arrived in the rebel-held capital Sanaa on Saturday, in an apparent bid to cement the fragile cease-fire in Yemen's port city of Hodeidah.
It was Griffiths' second visit to Sanaa in a month as the UN has been pushing for peace process in Yemen to end nearly four years of devastating war, which has pushed the Arab nation of more than 20 million people to the brink of famine.
"I'm Sick and I Need to Travel Abroad for Treatment," read a banner raised by a group of sick children diagnosed with cancer and leukemia who were gathering at the Sanaa international airport.
"Yemen's Children are Suffering ... Lift the Blockade on Sanaa International Airport," said another banner.
An official with Houthi-run local media outlets told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that the UN envoy is expected to meet Abdulmalik al-Houthi, Houthi top leader, "to discuss the situation of Hodeidah and break the stalemate in implementing the cease-fire agreement."
Griffiths is also due to meet with President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and his Yemeni government in the Saudi capital of Riyadh, according to a UN statement released on Friday.
Earlier in the day, heavy clashes erupted between Yemeni government troops and Houthi rebels near Hodeidah University and Rabasah quarter at the southern edge of the port city.
Heavy machine guns and artillery shelling were heard across the city in the hours-long fighting, Mohammed al-Zabidy, a local resident, told Xinhua by phone.
The warring forces also traded accusations, blaming each other for breaching the truce and undermining the ongoing peace process.
Last week, the Houthi group said it began withdrawing from the Hodeidah ports in order to "implement the first phase of re-deployment."
In response, the UN said the redeployment "would only be credible if all parties and the United Nations are able to observe and verify that it is in line with the Stockholm agreement."
Patrick Cammaert, appointed by the UN as head of the Redeployment Coordination Committee (RCC) which includes representatives from both Yemeni rival forces, would arrange the redeployment plans and mechanism required to monitor the cease-fire and ensure that "credible redeployment is achieved," it added.
Cammaert arrived in Hodeidah last week to oversee the implementation of the cease-fire between the Yemeni parties.
Under the truce, the withdrawal from the ports of Hodeidah, Salif and Ras Issa, and critical parts of the city associated with humanitarian facilities should be completed within two weeks after the cease-fire enters into force, while the full withdrawal should be completed within a maximum period of 21 days.
Saudi Arabia has been leading an Arab military coalition in Yemen against the Iran-backed Houthi militia since March 2017, in order to reinstate the exiled Yemeni government of Hadi.
国内英语资讯:China to launch first unified personal credit platform for online lending
国际英语资讯:Germany, Turkey seek reconciliation as foreign ministers hold meeting
国际英语资讯:Migration is a positive global phenomenon -- UN chief
国内英语资讯:Feature: Chinas ban on ivory sale should be followed by all: Sri Lankan wildlife experts
体坛英语资讯:Santos name son of Brazil legend Jairzinho as coach
巧克力40年后将消失!原因竟是气候变暖?
你笑得最不合时宜的一次?
国际英语资讯:Fierce snowstorm disrupts travel, knocks out power in U.S. Northeast
“A thing”的旧词新意
中国的方便面销量下降?原因你绝对猜不到!
2018年最让人期待的10部电影
纽约市为遏制全球变暖要与5大石油公司对薄公堂
国际英语资讯:Trump, Macron talk over phone on Korean Peninsula, Iran: White House
国际英语资讯:UN agency in Palestine says to continue work under UN mandate
美海军确认去年菲律宾海坠落的运输机位置
“炸弹旋风”将影响美东4千万人
体坛英语资讯:Palmeiras not interested in ceding Mina to Barcelona in January
体坛英语资讯:Barca and Madrid both win Kings Cup ties
国内英语资讯:Brunei extends national sales promotion to Chinese New Year
国际英语资讯:European lawmakers urge Britain to stay in single market
国际英语资讯:11 killed, 20 injured in Kabul suicide bombing
Staying power
国际英语资讯:Jordan urges unified Arab efforts to deal with Trumps Jerusalem move
国际英语资讯:Spotlight: Trump offshore drilling plans met with disbelief from coast to coast
A Father’s Letter 一位父亲的信
国际英语资讯:Russia rejects U.S. proposal for UN emergency meeting on Iran
国内英语资讯:Trains cancelled, classes suspended in China snowstorms
英语口语中如何“转换话题”?
国际英语资讯:Hamas, Islamic Jihad call on PLO to withdraw Israel recognition
国际英语资讯:Macron suggests no EU membership; Erdogan says Turkey sick of waiting