AMMAN, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- Representatives of the Yemeni government and the Houthi rebels concluded their meetings on Friday in Jordan's capital Amman to discuss the swap of prisoners and detainees.
A committee representing the two sides discussed the issue over the past two days and measures that have been taken to implement an agreement reached between the two sides in Sweden in December 2018, said a statement issued by the office of United Nations special envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths.
The two sides agreed on steps to proceed with the agreement, the statement said.
"The meeting witnessed positive, constructive and honest discussions to implement the agreement and the two sides took initial steps to implement the deal on prisoners' swap," the statement said.
The UN office on Yemen indicated that the prisoners swap agreement is the first to be signed between the two sides since the start of the war in Yemen, adding that the deal gives hope to thousands of Yemeni families that are eager to know the destiny of their beloved ones.
The UN envoy office expressed hope that the positive engagement between the two sides will speed up the implementation of the agreement, which will help build confidence between the two sides.
Meanwhile, Majed Fudeil, a member of the Yemeni government delegation that attended Amman's meeting, expressed hope that the remarks made by the delegation of Houthi rebels were accurate and valid.
The two sides agree to exchange information about the prisoners in a period that does not exceed ten days. Then, they agreed to sign the final lists and implement the prisoners swap agreement, he said.
The meetings between the two sides started last Wednesday at the presence of the International Red Cross and other organizations.
The UN officials said discussions between the two sides were positive while no decisions have been taken yet to hold additional talks in Amman.
