US President Barack Obama called on Yemen's warring parties to respect a ceasefire that lay in tatters Friday, amid fighting between government and rebel forces.

The White House said that Obama, in a call with Abu Dhabi's crown prince, stressed the 
"urgent need for all parties to adhere to the ceasefire in Yemen" and to seek a diplomatic solution to the conflict.

A Saudi-led coalition launched an air war against the Huthi Shiite rebels and their allies in March.