United Nations, April 29 (RHC)-- The United Nations special envoy to Yemen has expressed optimism about the ongoing round of negotiations between Yemeni warring sides, as long drawn-out peace talks enter into a second week.

Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said on Thursday that a "positive atmosphere" prevailed during talks underway in Kuwait, warning, however, that differences still remain between representatives of the Houthi Ansarullah movement and the camp of the resigned president Abd Rabbuah Mansour Hadi. 

The UN diplomat has held several rounds of talks with the two sides in a bid to get them to approve agenda.  Ould said the delegates have been discussing "the issues related to the withdrawal of armed groups, handover of heavy weapons, resumption of the political transition and the release of prisoners and detainees."  He said the two sides have also been engaged in talks about how they could strengthen a ceasefire currently in force across Yemen.

The UN Security Council on Monday stressed that the sides involved in the talks must assign importance to agreeing on a "roadmap" to implement security measures.

More than 9,500 people have been killed in more than a year of military conflict in Yemen as Saudi Arabia has been increased its bombardings.  The Saudi airstrikes have destroyed the infrastructure in Yemen as the impoverished nation struggles to cope with shortage of food and basic medications due to Saudi blockade of the Arab country.