UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths revealed Thursday that he plans to invite consulted parties to Geneva on September 6th for the first round of consultations. He also urged the Council to do more to “keep the Red Sea out of the conflict.” Western sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that the upcoming discussions will last between three to four days and will tackle four axes: confidence-building measures, setting up a framework for consultations, the issues of Hodeidah and the central bank. “Our efforts have enabled us to narrow the gap between the parties to the conflict in Yemen,” Griffith said during a Security Council briefing. Griffith started his statement by lauding Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah for his efforts in addressing the challenges of ending war and establishing peace. The Envoy noted that despite all efforts, the pace of war has grown in Yemen, where the battle for Hodeidah has become the centre of gravity. “We have tried to find a way to avoid a battle for the city and the port of Hodeidah. We are still trying,” asserted the Envoy. Summing up his requests to the Council, he advocated support for his effort to begin consultations in Geneva in September; support for de-escalation in Hodeidah and for keeping the Red Sea out of the conflict; support for measures that will give hope back to the Yemeni people; and recognition of the extraordinary courage of international humanitarian organizations. Griffiths thanked the Council for the extraordinary level of support it provided to his efforts. Meanwhile, a senior Yemeni official revealed that the government has refused in recent days several mediation efforts by Tihama elders. The elders were influenced by coup militias to negotiate halting army advances, after international efforts failed to convince the militias to leave Hodeidah without direct military confrontations. Houthi militias have sent some dignitaries to negotiate with the government to halt military incursion into the city, while maintaining their control over the city and its harbor, indicated Hassan al-Tahir, governor of al-Hodeidah. He added that the government rejected the offer being aware they are mere attempts for the militias to gain more time to restore their ranks. Speaking to Asharq al-Awsat, the governor announced that the city, along with the port, will be completely liberated within the coming few days. He said that he will soon brief the media from his office on all updates. He revealed that the delay was for political reasons, giving the legitimate government a chance to exert peace and international efforts to persuade the militias to get out of Hodeidah without direct military confrontations. However, Houthis do not know peace, according to the governor. The governor revealed that there are special task forces, anti-terrorism staff and other specialized teams who will participate in the military operation. The governor stressed that it is crucial that the government rids the city and citizens of these militias, which have committed criminal acts against civilians, contrary to all local and international laws and regulations.