NEW YORK: The United Nations and the United States have also welcomed Saudi Arabia's new peace initiative in Yemen, which includes a comprehensive cease-fire and the reopening of Sanaa airport to end the deadly conflict.

Deputy spokesman for the UN secretary-general Farhan Haq told reporters at the regular briefing in New York the plan would also ease restrictions on Hodeidah port and resume the political process.

The US State Department official in a telephonic call with reporters called on all parties to come together for negotiations under the UN.