Talks to address Yemen's failed economy could take place in the Jordanian capital of Amman, a Houthi leader said Sunday (January 6th) after meeting with UN envoy Martin Griffiths, AFP reported.
Discussions on the economy "could take place in Amman... which I discussed with the UN envoy", said Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, who heads the Houthis’ Higher Revolutionary Committee.
He added that the meeting may alternatively take place by video conference.
The Iran-backed Houthis (Ansarallah) released a statement later Sunday clarifying that the official was referring to "economic meetings" that could take place and not a second round of peace negotiations between the militia and the government.
One month after peace talks on the Yemen conflict, the UN faces an uphill battle as it pushes to ensure the warring parties make good on a shaky truce deal.
Griffiths, who brokered the breakthrough last month in Sweden, returned to Yemen Saturday with a plan to expedite measures agreed between the government and the Houthis.
Key among them is the redeployment of rival forces from al-Hodeidah, the Red Sea port city crucial for aid and food imports.
Griffiths, scheduled to meet Yemeni government officials in Riyadh after meeting with the Houthis, hopes to bring the warring sides together later this month -- possibly in Kuwait -- to follow up on progress made at December's talks.
He held talks Sunday with Houthi chief Abdelmalik al-Houthi, local media said.
The UN Security Council is expected to hear a report from Griffiths next week.
