The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, met the chief Houthi negotiator, Mohammed Abdel Salam, in Muscat on Friday.

They discussed the UN plan to open Sanaa airport and lift restrictions on Hodiedah ports to enhance the freedom of movement of people and commodities to and from Yemen, achieve a nationwide ceasefire, and commit the parties to the relaunch of a political process to end the conflict.

“My recent meetings, as well as the continued international and regional support, show that the parties could still seize this opportunity and make a breakthrough towards resolving the conflict,” Griffiths said.

Al Arabiya TV reported that the talks in Muscat were "positive."

On Wednesday Griffiths concluded a three-day visit to Saudi Arabia, where he met with senior Saudi and Yemeni officials to discuss the UN’s plan to achieve a comprehensive cease-fire.

He also held talks on easing restrictions imposed on the movement of people and goods to and from the country, and resuming the political process to end the conflict.

Griffiths held talks on “the critical situation in Marib and stressed that the battle for Marib must stop to allow diplomatic peace efforts to achieve positive results,” the UN said in a statement.

He also expressed hope that the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement would continue to progress and warned against the threat of further fragmentation in Yemen.