Local Editor
Saudi officials and Houthi revolutionaries have held months of secret talks on ending Yemen's devastating three-year war, according to a news report.
The warring parties discussed ways to halt the conflict that has left 22 million Yemenis in dire need of humanitarian assistance, diplomats and Yemeni officials told Reuters news agency on Thursday.
The war has killed an estimated 10,000 people, left millions facing famine, and initiated a major outbreak of disease.
The sources - speaking on condition of anonymity - said Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdul-Salam had met with Saudi officials in neighbouring Oman.
"There are consultations between the Houthis and the Saudis, without a representative of the internationally recognised government, and it is clear that there is a desire of the Houthis and the coalition to go toward a comprehensive agreement," a diplomat was quoted as saying.
The resolution of the conflict would begin with a truce that would halt fighting and allow the negotiation of a definitive peace deal that accounts for the interests of both sides, sources said.
The diplomats told Reuters the talks have been going on for two months. The negotiations follow previous mediation efforts between the ousted Yemeni regime and the Houthis that were held in Kuwait in 2016.
Both sides have yet to comment on the news report.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by Website Team
