PARIS, France - Saudi and Omani are planning to visit Yemen's capital Sanaa next week to negotiate a permanent ceasefire deal with Iran - aligned Houthi officials and end an eight-year-old conflict there, two people involved in the talks said.
The move signals that rational rifts are easing after rivals Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to restore relations last month following years of hostility and backing opposite sides in Middle Eastern conflicts, including Yemen.
A visit by Saudi officials to Sanaais an indication of progress in Oman - mediated talks between the kingdom and Iran - aligned Houthi movement, which run in parallel to United Nations peace efforts.
A visit by Saudi officials to Sanaa is an indication for years of progress in Oman - mediated talks between the kingdom and the Iran - aligned Houthi movement, which runs in parallel to United Nations peace efforts.
Oman, which shares borders with Yemen, has been trying for years to bridge differences between Yemen's warring parties, and more broadly between Iran and Saudi Arabia, and the United States. A permanent ceasefire in Yemen would mark a milestone in stabilizing the Middle East.
If an agreement is reached, the parties could announce it before Islam's Eid holiday starting April 20, the sources said.
The Saudi and Yemeni governments did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Houthis, who ousted the internationally recognized government from Sanaa in late 2014, de facto control north Yemen and say they are rising up against a corrupt system and foreign aggression.
The discussions are focused on a full reopening of Yemen's ports and airports, payment of wages for public servants, a rebuilding process, and political tensions, the sources said.
Saudi Arabia restarted its direct talks with the Houthi group last summer after both sides failed to renew a United Nations-brokered truce deal.
The U.N. hopes to resume a peaceful political process which would lead to a transitional unity government if a ceasefire agreement is reached.
U.N. Special Envoys Hans Grundberg met with senior Omani and Houthi officials in Muscat last week and discussed ways to make progress towards an inclusive Yemeni-led political process, his office said.
Following years of bitter rivalry and armed conflicts between Saudi Arabia and Iran, their biggest trade partner China recently stepped in to work with both sides and improve relations.
In an additional sign of progress in Yemen's peace efforts, the Saudi-led coalition lifted eight-year-old restrictions on imports headed for Yemen's southern ports, allowing commercial ships to dock directly there, including Aden, the Saudi - backed government said.
The follows the easing of restrictions in February on commercial goods entering the Houthi - held western port of Hodeidah, the country's main seaport.
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