Yemeni President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi blamed the Iran-backed Houthi militias for prolonging the conflict and Yemeni peoples suffering. UN Secretary Generals Special Envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Shiekh Ahmed meanwhile indicated that peace in Yemen should be based on what was agreed upon in the Kuwait talks, affirming that no militia can retain its weapons and also act as a peace partner. Hadi received Ould Cheikh at his residence in Saudi Arabia on a farewell visit at the end of his term as UN envoy. The president expressed his appreciation and gratitude for Ould Sheikh’s efforts during his tenure to achieve peace and stability in the country and the region. He also condemned Houthis’ “intransigence and arrogance” in obstructing peace opportunities, reported the state-owned Saba news agency. Ould Sheikh later held talks with Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir in Riyadh and later Yemeni Foreign Minister Abdul Malik al-Mekhlafi Official Yemeni sources said Mekhlafi thanked Ould Sheikh for his efforts during his tenure as UN envoy, noting: "We have supported the envoy all along, and have been confident that he loves Yemen and earnestly sought to broker peace. For that we, thank him on behalf of the Yemeni people, who will continue to remember his efforts." He also reiterated accusations that the Houthis were obstructing peace efforts. The Houthi militias had accused Ould Sheikh of being "biased" and refused to meet with him in Sanaa last month. They did however approve the visit of his deputy, Moeein Shreim. Last May, Ould Cheikh’s vehicle came under gun fire shots as soon as he had arrived in Sanaa airport. The incident has been described as an assassination attempt and reflects the Houthis rejection of UN efforts to find a political solution to the crisis.