United Nations chief Antonio Guterres announced on Thursday a series of breakthroughs in talks with rivals in the Yemen conflict, including a ceasefire at a vital port in Hodeida.

In a highly symbolic gesture on the seventh and final day of the UN-brokered peace talks in Sweden, Yemen’s Foreign Minister Khaled al-Yamani and rebel negotiator Mohammed Abdelsalam shook hands to a rancorous applause. But a number of issues still remain, Mr. Guterres said.

The conflict has triggered what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with 14 million Yemenis now at the brink of mass starvation.

Mr. Guterres, who flew in to Sweden late on Wednesday, announced that the government and the Huthi rebels had agreed on a ceasefire in the port of Hodeida, the main entry point for food and aid.

UN special envoy Martin Griffiths said the pullout from the port should take place “within days”.

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