ADEN, Yemen, July 2 (Xinhua) -- The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, on Wednesday called for a "just political settlement" to the protracted conflict in Yemen.

The special envoy made the remarks in a press statement released as he wrapped up a three-day visit to the southern port city of Aden.

During his visit, the UN envoy met with Yemeni Prime Minister Salem Bin Buraik and engaged in discussions with civil society members and women leaders from political parties and various components.

"All stakeholders have a responsibility to move Yemen from a status of 'no war no peace' towards a long-term settlement through credible actions, accountable leadership, and a genuine commitment to peace," Grundberg noted.

The UN envoy welcomed efforts for de-escalation across frontlines and encouraged the formation of a joint inclusive negotiation delegation by the government of Yemen to prepare for future negotiations.

Grundberg also raised concerns about detained UN and NGO staff, stressing that such detentions undermine trust and confidence-building efforts essential to the peace process.

He reaffirmed the UN's commitment to securing their release through continued diplomatic engagement.

Meanwhile, Jamal Amer, foreign minister of the unrecognized Houthi government in Sanaa, sent a letter to the UN Security Council, emphasizing that "any political solution must be free of any external dictates, preconditions, or the imposition of entities formed by external forces that have no connection to the Yemeni people."

Yemen has been engulfed in conflict since 2014 when Houthi forces seized control of the capital Sanaa and much of the country's north, prompting a Saudi-led coalition to intervene in support of the internationally recognized government in 2015.

The conflict has created one of the world's worst humanitarian crises, with millions of Yemenis facing food insecurity and lacking access to basic services. Multiple rounds of peace talks have failed to produce a political settlement. Enditem