UN envoy: Divisions in Yemen are blocking new peace talks

UNITED NATIONS – The U.N. envoy for Yemen says deep divisions between the warring parties in Yemen are preventing him from calling for a new round of peace talks.

Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed told the U.N. Security Council Wednesday that he also hasn't received sufficient assurances that if he called for a cessation of hostilities it would be respected.

The Arab world's poorest country has been plagued by fighting between its internationally recognized government, backed by a Saudi-led, U.S.-supported coalition, and Shiite Houthi rebels allied with a former president.

Peace talks had been expected to resume the week of Jan. 11 but were postponed following renewed fighting and airstrikes.

Cheikh Ahmed painted a grim picture of a country gripped by deteriorating security, a humanitarian crisis, and an upsurge in attacks by "terrorist groups."