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Yemeni Houthis set 3-day deadline for power transfer

Xinhua, February 2, 2015 Adjust font size:

The Shiite Houthi rebel group, currently in control of the capital Sanaa, proposed on Sunday a three-day ultimatum for a solution to end the current political crisis that is engulfing the crisis-riddent nation.

The Shiite Houthi group, also known as Ansarullah, based in the far northern province of Saada, has been expanding their influence southward after signing a UN-sponsored peace and power-sharing deal on Sept. 21, 2014 following their forceful occupation of the capital.

In a statement published following the three-day national conference held in Sanaa, the group said "revolutionary leadership" would take "necessary steps" if "peaceful transfer of power" fails.

Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi and Prime Minister Khaled Bahah submitted their resignations late last month amidst a standoff with the Houthis.

Following their resignations, the country went into a complete security vacuum which may help terrorist groups expand their influence in the country.

Presidential sources revealed that Hadi might withdraw his resignation if the Houthi group stops demanding power sharing.

The Yemeni parliament said it will hold an emergency session to vote on Hadi's resignation, but has postponed the meeting until further notice.

Government officials said domestic and international efforts are underway to convince Hadi to withdraw his resignation.

However, Houthis proposed forming a presidential council to replace Hadi in order to run the country.

On Tuesday, Houthis set free Hadi's chief of staff, Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, whom they kidnapped for ten days in an altercation over the draft constitution, which caused the ensuing crisis.

The group rejected the draft constitution which divided Yemen into six federal regions and demanded amendments based on outcomes of the national reconciliation dialogue wrapped up in January last year.

Yemen's government is on the brink of collapse following deadly clashes with the Houthis in Sanaa early January. Jamal Benomar, UN envoy to Yemen, has been attempting to broker a solution for the past two weeks, but the country's political factions have not arrived at a consensus.

The impoverished country has been facing rising secessionism and plots by al-Qaida terror networks in the south. It has also suffered continual unrest since 2011 when mass protests unseated former President Saleh in 2012.

After Hadi took over power from Saleh in 2012, his government has failed to implement substantial political and military reforms, not to mention promoting reconciliation among various political factions. Endit