Geneva, January 9 (RHC)-- The United Nations says peace talks on Yemen and Syria planned to take place later in January are still on schedule despite recent developments in the region after Saudi Arabia decided to sever its ties with Iran.

UN spokesman Michele Zaccheo told reporters during a briefing in the Swiss city of Geneva that UN Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheik Ahmed traveled to the region, making a first stop in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Zaccheo said the intra-Syrian talks would also be held according to the schedule. The UN says it seeks negotiations between Damascus and foreign-backed opposition to begin in Geneva on January 25th in another attempt to end the bloody conflict in the Arab country.