Shaky truce holds in Yemen

A fragile ceasefire between Yemeni pro-government forces and Iran-backed rebels appeared to hold yesterday despite breaches, as UN-sponsored peace talks entered a second day in Switzerland.

Although fighting has subsided, both sides traded blame for violations that have left at least 24 people dead since the truce came into effect at midday Tuesday.

Previous ceasefires have collapsed and earlier UN efforts have failed to narrow differences between the warring rivals.

In one positive sign, tribal and military sources said that loyalists and the rebels were expected to exchange hundreds of captured fighters yesterday following weeks of mediation.

Mokhtar al-Rabbash, a member of the prisoners' affairs committee, which is close to the government, said an agreement was in place to swap 375 rebel detainees for 285 pro-Hadi fighters.