UN envoy holds 'fruitful' talks with Yemen rebel chief

The UN envoy for Yemen today said he had held "fruitful" talks with rebel leader Abdulmalik al-Huthi in his bid to avert all-out fighting for the strategic port city of Hodeida.

"I'm greatly reassured by the messages I have received, which have been positive and constructive," Martin Griffiths told reporters at Sanaa airport after two days of talks in the rebel-held capital. "I'm especially thankful to Abdul Malik al-Huthi, whom I met yesterday, for his support and the fruitful discussion we held."