DHAKA: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday called for an immediate halt to the fighting in Yemen, the first time he has made such an appeal since Saudi-led air strikes against Iranian-backed Houthi rebels began three weeks ago.

“I am calling for an immediate cease-fire in Yemen by all the parties," Ban said in a speech to the National Press Club in Washington”, reports the Jerusalem Post.

“The Saudis have assured me that they understand that there must be a political process. I call on all Yemenis to participate in good faith.”

BDST: 2100 HRS, APR 17, 2015
BD