UN chief calls for humanitarian pause in Yemen during Ramzan

International powers are keen for a speedy resolution, fearing the growing power of Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, the Yemeni branch of the jihadist network which has taken advantage of the chaos to seize territory.

“We do not have a moment to lose,” Ban said, adding that the fighting was “giving strength to some of the world’s most ruthless terrorist groups.”

“I hope this week starts the beginning of the end of the fighting,” Ban said.

“Ramadan begins in two days,” he said, stressing that the holy Muslim month should be a period for harmony, peace and reconciliation.

“I have emphasised the importance of another humanitarian pause for at least two weeks,” Ban said, after meeting the government delegation.

Yemen has been wracked by conflict between Iran-backed Shiite rebels and exiled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi’s internationally recognised government which has “claimed more than 2,600 lives, half of them civilians,” Ban said.

“Today, Yemen’s very existence hangs in the balance,” Ban said. While parties bicker, Yemen burns.” He also called on the warring factions to “reach agreement on local ceasefires, with the withdrawal of armed groups from cities.”

Ban dismissed fears that the talks would be torpedoed by the non-arrival of an Iran-backed rebel delegation in time for the talks. The team’s plane was delayed in Djibouti, according to UN and diplomatic sources.

He said the delay was due to logistical reasons and added: “I am pleased to know that the other parties are on their way” and were expected to arrive later Monday.

Underscoring the need for immediate action in Yemen, Ban said: “The ticking clock is not a <g data-gr-id="40">time piece</g>, it is a time bomb.” The UN’s peace envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, said in a statement that today would see the start of “preliminary inclusive consultations” on the war.

<g data-gr-id="42">Analysts however</g> said a breakthrough was “very unlikely”. The delegations will not even begin talks in the same room. The rebels, supported by military units loyal to ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh, have seized control of large parts of the country including the capital Sanaa, forcing Hadi to flee to Saudi Arabia in February.