UN welcomes Yemen detainees release deal

United Nations spokesman, Farhan Haq, on Thursday welcomed a major breakthrough in efforts to secure the release of conflict-related detainees in Yemen, as the parties to the conflict have agreed to release more than 1,600 conflict-related detainees, the largest such release deal since the start of the conflict.

Haq, deputy spokesman for the secretary-general, told reporters in New York that this outcome is the result of 14 weeks of intensive negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations in Amman, Jordan.

Guterres called on all parties to work with the International Committee of the Red Cross to implement the agreement swiftly.

"Turning to Yemen, we welcome a major breakthrough in efforts to secure the release of conflict related detainees. The parties to the conflict in Yemen agreed to release more than 1600 conflict-related detainees, the largest such-release deal since the start of the conflict," said Haq.

The spokesman also called for the release of all those arbitrarily detained by the Houthis.

"We continue to call for the release of all those arbitrarily detained by the Houthis, including personnel from the UN, non-governmental organizations, civil society and diplomatic missions, as well as their families," said Haq.

Contestants from universities, middle schools and elementary schools staged intriguing performances during the "Chinese Bridge" Chinese proficiency competition Colombia regional finals.

At the finals held in Bogota, capital of Colombia, from Wednesday to Thursday, the contestants delivered speeches on the theme of "one world, one family," and their excellent performances won rounds of applause.

During the talent show segment, the contestants demonstrated their love and understanding of Chinese culture through a variety of performances, including shadow puppetry, folk dance, Peking Opera, traditional Chinese musical instrument, vocal music, and Chinese calligraphy.

The three winners of the championships in the university, middle school, and primary school groups will represent Colombia to participate in the global "Chinese Bridge" competition finals in China.