UNITED NATIONS, MAY 30 (AP/UNB) - The U.N. envoy to Yemen says the president is taking important steps to advance the country's transition to democracy and security forces are having some success against al-Qaida - but the terrorist group remains intent on striking both Western and regional targets.

Jamal Benomar told the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday that Yemen's transition is taking place "against a backdrop of serious security concerns, an unprecedented humanitarian crisis and many unresolved conflicts."

He said 10 million people - almost half the population - are not getting enough to eat and almost one million children under the age of five are suffering from malnutrition. He said five million Yemenis need immediate assistance.

Benomar said a planned National Dialogue Conference bringing together all sectors of society could shape the country's democratic future.