US President Joe Biden welcomed the extension on Thursday of a UN-brokered truce between the Yemeni government and the Houthis, and said Saudi Arabia had demonstrated “courageous leadership” by endorsing and implementing its terms.

“The last two months in Yemen, thanks to the truce brokered in April, have been among the most peaceful periods since this terrible war began seven years ago,” Biden said in a statement.

“The parties to the conflict have now extended this truce for another two months, and it’s important that we work from here to make it permanent.”

“The United States will remain engaged in this process over the coming weeks and months” and is focused on deterring threats to its friends and partners, Biden added.