The UN envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, has said that the redeployment of rival factions in the key port city of Hodeidah is "slow" but will happen.
A ceasefire agreed on in December in Sweden by the rival parties is holding, Griffiths told The Associated Press. The city has been the focus of months of UN-brokered talks with the Yemeni government.
"As I've been reminded recently there are 50 percent fewer civilian casualties in Hodeidah since the ceasefire came into account than in the previous three months," Griffiths said. "So that's quite a change and that's good for the people of Hodeidah, but we need to go further.”
Griffiths said the two sides are meeting daily to finalize details of the first redeployment from the Hodeidah port and two smaller ports. That will be followed by a second phase in which heavy weapons and ground forces will be removed from the city, he said.
The envoy said if the first phase is successful, the ensuing demilitarization phase will be much easier.
"Yes, it's slow, we shouldn't be surprised," he added.
