The Italian government on Wednesday praised Saudi Arabia's proposal for a ceasefire in war-torn Yemen, where millions face famine, calling it an "important signal" amid the country's "dramatic" six-year-old conflict.
"Italy welcomes Saudi Arabia's announcement of a unilateral ceasefire in Yemen and halt of military operations there," the foreign ministry said in a statement.
"This is an important signal, which gives new impetus to the UN-led negotiations and opens up prospects for improving humanitarian conditions in the country and achieving a lasting peace."
The statement said Italy fully supports UN special envoy Martin Griffiths. It appealed to Yemen's warring sides "to reach a sustainable compromise as soon as possible and put an end to the dramatic conflict in Yemen."
Saudi Arabia presented a new peace initiative on Monday to end Yemen's civil war, including a nationwide ceasefire and the reopening of air and sea links. But the Kingdom's Iran-aligned Houthi enemies said the offer did not appear to go far enough to completely lift a blockade of Yemen's ports and airports.
Yemen’s internationally recognised government issued a statement welcoming the Saudi plan, which was also praised by the US as "a step in the right direction" and was cautiously welcomed by the UN.
