United Nations, United States - The United Nations on Saturday confirmed Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, a Mauritanian diplomat, as the new special UN envoy for Yemen.
He replaces Jamal Benomar, who resigned last week following what diplomats said was sharp criticism of his performance by Gulf countries.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday notified the UN Security Council on Thursday of his intention to name Ould Cheikh Ahmed to the post, but was awaiting the reaction of the council and the parties to the conflict in Yemen before confirming the nomination.
A UN statement announcing that the nomination has now been confirmed said Ould Cheikh Ahmed "will work closely with the members of the United Nations Security Council, the Gulf Cooperation Council, governments in the region and other partners, as well as the United Nations country team for Yemen."
Ould Cheikh Ahmed is taking over the Yemen peace process after serving for four months as the head of the UN Ebola mission in Ghana.
He brings hands-on experience in the poor Arab country, having worked as the UN humanitarian coordinator in Yemen from 2012 to 2014.
Ban told the council this week that the Mauritanian diplomat will "intensify my good offices role in order to enable a resumption of a peaceful, inclusive, orderly and Yemeni-led political transition process."
The UN says millions of people have been affected by the conflict and are struggling to access healthcare, water, food and fuel.
It estimates that at least 551 of those killed since late March were civilians and included at least 115 children.
AFP
