DOHA, Qatar (AP) — The U.N. envoy for Yemen says peace talks aimed at ending fighting in the impoverished Arab country are making "incredible progress" and that a halt in fighting is largely holding.

Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed said at a forum in the Qatari capital, Doha, on Sunday that a cessation of hostilities is holding around 80 to 90 percent, even if pockets of violence continue. He says the drop in fighting has allowed much-needed aid to make its way to areas affected by the fighting.

He says he is hopeful that most of the thorniest issues in the conflict have been discussed during peace talks taking place in Kuwait and that a resolution could be "very close."