U.N.  appoints British envoy to Yemen instead of Ould Cheikh

SANAA, Jan 22 (YPA) – The United Nations said on Monday that its mediator for Yemen will step down next month after nearly three years trying to end the country’s conflict.

The United Nations will appoint the British “Martin Griffiths” as a new special envoy for Yemen to replace Ould Cheikh Ahmed when his current contract finishes at the end of February, said U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric in press conference on Monday evening.

 Griffith is the third UN official who mediates between the parties of conflict in Yemen, preceded by Mauritanian Ould Cheikh Ahmed and Moroccan Gamal Ben Ammar.

Ould Cheikh’s current contract will end on February 28, based on the extension of the Security Council for his mission last September, and for a period of 6 months to allow him to make progress in the Saudi- Yemeni war.

Sameera Hassn