The Yemeni government approved the new UN envoy to Yemen, Swedish diplomat Hans Grundberg, to succeed Martin Griffiths, who spent three years without achieving a real breakthrough to the country’s crisis.

Foreign Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak told Asharq Al-Awsat that the legitimate Yemeni government informed UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of its approval.

Bin Mubarak explained that the Sec-Gen would discuss the candidate with the Security Council's five permanent members and then issue a decision.

Grundberg had held a series of meetings over the past few days with several Yemeni officials and political figures from the legitimacy and the delegation of the Southern Transitional Council currently in Riyadh.

Western sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that “everyone is waiting for the announcement of the appointment of the new envoy to Yemen in the coming days.”

The sources, who declined to be identified, indicated that they are following the military operations in several areas, including Marib, al-Bayda, and the situation in the south.

Regional and international efforts for peace in Yemen are met with the Houthis’ rejection of all proposed initiatives, the latest of which is the UN-backed Saudi initiative.

The initiative focuses on a comprehensive ceasefire in the country and opening Sanaa International Airport and Hodeidah port to allow the delivery of oil derivatives to mitigate the effects of the worsening humanitarian crisis.

In turn, the US envoy to Yemen, Tim Linderking, seeks to contribute to making progress in peace efforts and pressure Houthis to accept the proposed initiatives.

Weeks ago, a Omani royal delegation visited the capital, Sanaa, and met with coup leaders before returning to Muscat, without announcing any progress.