New UN envoy on Yemen sets off for region; talks planned in Riyadh, then possibly Geneva
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The new U.N. envoy for Yemen is on his way to the region for "intensive consultations," while the U.N. tries to organize a conference on the crisis as soon as possible on neutral ground.
The U.N. says Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed started Wednesday in Paris, meeting the Gulf Coordination Council secretary-general.
Ahmed goes to the Saudi capital of Riyadh on Thursday to talk with Yemen's president and vice president and Saudi officials.
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He then will visit other regional capitals to meet with representatives of parties in the conflict. That might include the Shiite Houthi rebels who are the target of Saudi-led airstrikes in Yemen.
Saudi-led talks are planned in Riyadh later this month. The U.N. has not announced a date for its own talks, with Geneva a possible venue.