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The top negotiator of Yemen’s Houthi movement said peace talks with Saudi Arabia has made progress and further discussions would be held to iron out remaining differences.

After nearly nine years of war in Yemen, control of the country’s territory stands divided among three major players: The internationally recognised government, Houthi rebels and the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC).

The UN Special Envoy for Yemen was encouraged by the “depth and seriousness” of talks between stakeholders in Yemen.

A prisoner swap expected on Wednesday between Yemen’s Houthi rebels and the internationally recognised government has been delayed, but the first remarks by warring factions on the latest peace talks to end the country’s nine-year conflict conveyed optimism.

The two sides in Yemen’s conflict agreed to free 887 detainees and to meet again in May after 10 days of negotiations in Switzerland.

The UN Yemen mediator urged warring parties on Wednesday to ‘seize the opportunity’ to take decisive steps toward peace and said that momentum to end the conflict had been renewed by a deal between Saudia Arabia and Iran to renew diplomatic ties.

Yemen’s main southern separatist group voiced concern on Thursday about direct talks between Saudi Arabia and the Houthi movement and warned against any deal that goes beyond the parameters of the UN-led peace efforts.

The UN Special Envoy for Yemen said on Monday that he was encouraged by intensified efforts for an expanded truce deal but stressed that they should seek an inclusive process for a sustainable political settlement.