The UN envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, discussed the political process and efforts to implement the Stockholm Agreement with Saudi Deputy Defense Minister Khalid bin Salman in Riyadh.

In a statement, Griffiths said he met yesterday in Riyadh with Prince Khalid bin Salman and discussed with him ways to support the political process as well as efforts to implement the Stockholm Agreement.

Griffiths noted the efforts of the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in implementing the prisoner and detainee exchange agreement and the challenges and opportunities facing this important humanitarian issue.

The UN envoy stressed the importance of making progress on this humanitarian issue, which affects the lives of thousands of Yemeni families and  called on "all parties to show the necessary flexibility to allow for the start of a comprehensive exchange of detainees as soon as possible."

During the meeting, the UN envoy presented progress in implementing the Hodeidah Agreement, particularly with regard to the implementation of the ceasefire monitoring mechanism and the positive impact of this step on the protection of civilians, on the strengthening of humanitarian action and in providing the appropriate atmosphere to support confidence-building measures in this area.

Griffiths listened to a briefing from Bin Salman on the kingdom's efforts to mediate a solution to the situation in the south.

The UN envoy praised the kingdom's great efforts in this area, stressing the centrality of the Saudi role led by the crown prince in supporting the UN's efforts to reach a political solution to the crisis in Yemen."