UN envoy met Houthis in Muscat; UN reiterates push for detainee releases
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Summary
The UN reported its special envoy for Yemen met Omani officials and the Houthis' chief negotiator in Muscat to advance mediation; the UN reiterated advocacy for the release of about 59 colleagues arbitrarily detained by the Houthis but said no announcement of releases had been made.
Steph, UN spokesperson, gave an update on Yemen, saying Hans Gruenberg, the UN special envoy for Yemen, traveled to Muscat to review developments and advance UN-led mediation efforts. The envoy met Sheikh Khalifa Alisa Al Harthi and other senior Omani officials and also met Mohammed Bridal Salam, the Houthis' chief negotiator.
According to the spokesperson, talks focused on creating a conducive environment for a meaningful and inclusive political process. Steph said the envoy "reiterated our continued efforts to ensure the immediate and unconditional release of all our colleagues," noting about 59 remain arbitrarily detained by the Houthis in Yemen.
When asked by reporters whether the meeting included negotiations over detainee releases, the spokesperson clarified she had not said the envoy was negotiating releases, only that he met the Houthis’ chief negotiator who serves as the UN's main political point of contact on Yemen. She added, "anytime there is a release, we will announce it."