UN envoy calls for monitors on cease-fire

Humanitarian chief says analysis confirms Yemen's descent toward famine amid potential breakthrough in fighting

UNITED NATIONS - The United Nations envoy for Yemen called on Friday for the urgent deployment of UN monitors to observe the implementation of a cease-fire in the strategic port city of Hodeidah and the withdrawal of rival forces - a potential breakthrough in Yemen's four-year civil war.

Martin Griffiths told the Security Council that a speedy presence in the field is "an essential part of the confidence" needed to accompany implementation of Thursday's agreement between Yemen's government and Houthi Shiite rebels reached after eight days of negotiations in Sweden.