The United Nations has welcomed an initiative to hold consultations in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to support UN efforts to reach a political settlement in Yemen.

On Sunday, Stéphane Dujarric, spokesman for the UN Secretary-General, commenting on an upcoming conference in Riyadh, said, “We appreciate all initiatives that support UN actions to reach an inclusive negotiated political settlement to the conflict in Yemen.

“In that context, we welcome the initiative announced by the GCC to host the parties to the conflict in Yemen for consultations in Riyadh in the coming weeks in support of the UN efforts.”

The Gulf Cooperation Council said on Thursday that it will host consultations on Yemen this month as part of an initiative to revive UN-led peace efforts to end the war.

“We are calling for the development of a road map that will move Yemen from a state of war to peace,” said Nayef al Hajraf, secretary-general of GCC.

“We hope the Yemeni consultations will establish mechanisms for humanitarian action and a political future. We are aiming for a comprehensive political process in Yemen in order to achieve the desired peace.”

The official twitter account for the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen stated that Hans Grundberg, UN Special Envoy for Yemen, met Mohammed Abdel Salam, chief negotiator of Ansar Allah, and Omani officials in Muscat on Saturday to discuss ongoing UN consultations and efforts to address the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen, including a possible truce during the holy month of Ramadan.

‘The UN Special Envoy is continuing the discussions with the parties to the conflict,’ it added.