UN announces 72-hour ceasefire in Yemen

UN announces 72-hour ceasefire in Yemen

In a statement on Monday, the office of the UN's special envoy for Yemen said Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed had received assurances from all Yemeni parties of their recommitment to the ceasefire.

"A cessation of hostilities that first went into effect in April will re-enter into force at 23:59 Yemen time (20:59 GMT) on 19 October 2016, for an initial period of 72 hours, subject to renewal," it said.

Abdel-Malek al-Mekhlafi, foreign minister of Yemen's internationally recognized government, confirmed via his official Twitter feed that President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi had agreed to the ceasefire with the possibility of it being extended.

"The president agreed to a 72 hrs. ceasefire to be extended if the other party adheres to it, activates the DCC (De-escalation and Coordination Committee) and lifts the siege of Taiz," he said.

PHOTO CAPTION

A pro-government fighter stands guard in the al-Sarari area after government forces captured it from Iran-allied Houthi militia in Taiz province, Yemen, July 26, 2016. Reuters

Al-Jazeera

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