UN Peace Envoy to Yemen Resigns

Local Editor

The UN peace envoy to Yemen, Jamal Benomar, has resigned, the UN said Wednesday, after losing support from Gulf countries for his mission in the conflict-riven nation.

The Moroccan diplomat had been UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's special envoy for Yemen since 2012.
Benomar has "expressed an interest in moving on to another assignment," the UN statement said.

"A successor shall be named in due course," it added.

A UN official had earlier confirmed that Benomar had quit his post.

Among the candidates who may take his place is Mauritanian diplomat Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, who currently heads the UN Ebola mission in Accra, said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Under the Gulf countries' pressure, Benomar was accused of having been duped by the Ansarullah, who held peace talks while the group pressed their offensive for more territory.

Ban "greatly appreciates the tireless efforts Benomar has made over the years to promote consensus and trust on a peaceful way forward in Yemen," the UN statement said.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team