UN envoy warns resumption of war remains threat in Yemen unless parties reach new cease-fire deal

The United Nations' top official in Yemen warned Monday that the Arab world's poorest country will remain a powder keg for renewed war unless its rival factions work out a new cease-fire deal. Hans Grundberg, the U.N. special representative for Yemen, told The Associated Press the situation in the conflict-stricken country is fragile nearly a year after the internationally recognized government and the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels failed to renew a U.N.-brokered cease-fire. The conflict has been restrained since then, with only sporadic clashes, but Grundberg said a resumption of all-out fighting is a threat.