UK says Saudi-led coalition to allow Huthi medical evacuations from Yemen

The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen has agreed to allow some wounded Huthi rebels to be evacuated, following a visit to the region by British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, his office said Tuesday.

The issue has proved a sticking point in previous peace talks and the move could now pave the way for fresh negotiations, Britain's foreign ministry said in a statement.

"The Saudi-led coalition (has) agreed to the evacuation of wounded Huthis from Yemen, one of the key stumbling blocks to the UN Geneva talks in September," it added.

"Coalition forces will now permit the UN to oversee a Huthi medical evacuation, including up to fifty wounded fighters, to Oman ahead of another proposed round of peace talks in Sweden later this month."