Yemeni govt, rebels agree on ceasefire - officials

Yemeni officials say Shi'ite rebels and the internationally recognised government have agreed to begin a ceasefire for a week or two before their next round of negotiations.

Tribal fighters take position on a street during fighting with Shi’ite rebels on the outskirts of Taiz, Yemen.

The officials participated in talks on Sunday in Sana'a, the capital, between the rebels and UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed. They say talks are expected to restart next month.

The officials said the Shi'ite rebels, known as Houthis, have agreed to implement a UN security council resolution which requires them to hand over weapons and withdraw from territory, including Sanaa.


All officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to brief reporters.
Previous attempts to implement a ceasefire in Yemen have failed to take hold on the ground, with each side accusing the other of immediately violating the terms.

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