The UN's envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, on Tuesday urged armed groups in the country to silence their guns for a Ramadan respite to the gruelling civil war.
Mr Griffiths said the holy month offered an "opportunity for all of us to come together, think of those who are suffering, and overcome our differences".
His comments come amid revived efforts to end the civil war in Yemen, which pits the Iran-backed Houthi rebels against various Yemeni forces and a Saudi-led coalition.
“Yemen continues to go through hard times,” said Mr Griffiths.
“Ramadan teaches us endurance, empathy and perseverance. I call on the parties to silence the guns and allow Yemenis to observe the month in safety and dignity and put every effort towards achieving what Yemenis aspire for: a lasting and sustainable peace.”
The Saudi-led coalition intervened in the conflict in 2015 to restore a government ousted by the Houthis the previous year. Tens of thousands of people have bene killed in fighting that pushed the Arab world's poorest country to the brink of famine.
Ramadan around the region - in pictures
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A member of the Moon-sighting committee looks through a telescope near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to look for the new crescent moon that will mark the beginning Ramadan the following day. Reuters -
A member of the Moon-sighting committee looks through binoculars, near Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Reuters -
Muslims pray during the first dawn prayers of Ramadan, around the Kaaba, the sacred cube-shaped building at the centre of the Grand Mosque in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. AP Photo -
Workers disinfect the ground as Muslim pilgrims walk round the Kaaba, during the Umrah pilgrimage, in Makkah, Saudi Arabia. AP Photo -
A vendor puts up stars and crescent moon decorations in his shop at a market in Kuwait City, Kuwait, the day before the start of Ramadan. AFP -
A vendor decorates his shop with lanterns, at a market in Kuwait City, the day before the start of the holy month. AFP -
Decorations in the shape of a crescent moon inlaid within a five-pointed star bearing Arabic text reading Ramadan Mubarak – Blessed Ramadan – at the City Walk district of Dubai, with the Burj Khalifa in the background. AFP -
A customer inspects the produce at a spice shop in Dubai, ahead of the holy month. AFP -
Ramadan lights illuminate the Corniche in Abu Dhabi. Victor Besa / The National -
A vendor sells fresh produce at Al Mawaleh market in Oman's capital Muscat, ahead of Ramadan. AFP
