RIYADH: Saudi Arabia on Thursday welcomed an agreement reached in Jordan to exchange more than 1,600 conflict-related detainees in Yemen, describing the deal as a positive step toward easing humanitarian suffering and strengthening prospects for stability.

In a statement, the Saudi Foreign Ministry said the agreement signed in Amman would help “alleviate the humanitarian suffering of the detainees and their families” and “enhance trust and opportunities for security and stability.”

The deal, announced by UN envoy Hans Grundberg, followed 14 weeks of negotiations between Yemen’s warring parties and marks the largest agreed prisoner release since the conflict began more than a decade ago.

The ministry praised the efforts of “all concerned parties” involved in securing the agreement and singled out Jordan for hosting the talks over recent months.

It also commended the work of the UN envoy’s office and the International Committee of the Red Cross in facilitating the negotiations.

“The Kingdom reiterates its support for all efforts aimed at achieving peace, security, and stability, in a manner that fulfills the aspirations of the brotherly Yemeni people,” the statement added.