UN envoy to Yemen to leave post

UNITED NATIONS: The UN envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, who has been in line for a senior role at the UN since April, is expected to leave his current post, sources said Tuesday. Houthi rebels recently refused to meet with the 69-year-old British diplomat, who has held the position since 2018, raising doubts as to whether he could effectively continue his work as Yemen’s mediator. On Friday, the US State Department blasted the Houthi rebels for skipping the opportunity for talks with Griffiths to discuss a possible resolution to the conflict in Yemen. The war, which has lasted for years, pits Houthi rebels against the Yemeni government, which has been backed since 2015 by Saudi Arabia.