UN mediator Martin Griffiths told a news conference in a renovated castle outside Stockholm that just getting the warring sides to the table was an important milestone. No talks have been held since 2016, and the last attempt in Geneva in September failed when the Houthis did not attend. Mr Griffiths said the prisoner swap agreed at the start of the talks would reunite thousands of families. The Swedish hosts called for constructive talks to end what foreign minister Margot Wallstrom called a “catastrophe”. Both sides have reinforced positions in the Red Sea city in sporadic battles after a de-escalation last month.

Source: The Irish Times December 06, 2018 15:22 UTC