SANAA // The UN envoy to Yemen has resigned after failing to avert large-scale violence, dealing a blow to hopes of a diplomatic solution to the conflict between Shiite rebels and Saudi-backed government forces.
The announcement came as a Saudi-led coalition pressed its air war against the Iran-backed rebels into a fourth week, promising “no half measures” in its campaign to restore president Abdrabu Mansur Hadi.
As UN envoy, Jamal Benomar had tried to avert all-out conflict as the Houthi rebels seized the capital last September and then placed Mr Hadi under effective house arrest in January.
But Mr Hadi’s escape to Aden the following month to rally opposition to the rebels brought negotiations to an end and Mr Benomar’s efforts to revive them came to nothing as the rebels advanced on the president’s last refuge, triggering his flight to Saudi Arabia.
Mr Benomar had lost the confidence of Riyadh and its allies. Last month, a Gulf diplomatic official accused the UN envoy of appeasing the rebels and their allies as they overran Yemen.
* Agence France-Presse
