The United Nations is working hard to make progress in the ongoing Yemen talks in Geneva between the exiled Yemeni government and representatives of the Houthi movement as each side accuses the other of sabotaging the process, AFP reported on Wednesday.
"The only positive point so far is that the negotiations are continuing and that no delegation has slammed the door," a Western diplomat told AFP following the talks.
The talks encountered yet another obstacle on the third day with concerns over an inflated Houthi presence. UN special envoy to Yemen, Ould Cheikh Ahmed, is trying to reduce the number of Houthi delegates from 22 to the formerly-agreed upon ten.
"We believe that in order to commence, the numbers need to be reduced and there has to be a balance between the two teams," he told AFP
Meanwhile Yemeni Foreign Minister Riad Yassin reiterated the exiled government's demand for Houthi withdrawal.
"We are demanding their retreat from all the provinces to conclude a ceasefire or truce in keeping with Resolution 2216 of the Security Council," he said, speaking to AFP.
Due to the volatile nature of the conflict, the peace talks between the two warring sides are being conducted in separate rooms, AFP reported.
