U.S special envoy says Yemen truce paves way to end conflict

U.S. special envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking, attends an interview with Reuters in Amman, Jordan April 2, 2022. Picture taken April 2, 2022. REUTERS/Jehad Shelbak

AMMAN (Reuters) -A United Nations-led truce in Yemen is a "decisive moment" in the near seven-year conflict and offers hope the warring parties and international community can bring a lasting peace to the devastated country, a senior U.S. official told Reuters.

U.S. Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking said the U.N.- brokered two-month truce between a Saudi-led coalition and the Houthi group aligned with Iran, which comes into effect on Saturday, was a "first step" to a permanent ceasefire.