UN ENVOY MEETS HOUTHI LEADER FOR YEMEN CRISIS TALKS

Sana’a, 25 Dzulqa’dah 1435/20 September 2014 (MINA) – U.N. Special Adviser on Yemen Jamal Benomar met Friday with Shiite Houthi leader Abdul-Malik al-Houthi for the third time this week in an effort to resolve Yemen’s political crisis.

“[Participants of] the meeting are discussing an agreement to resolve the current crisis,” a government source told Anadolu Agency.

According to the source, Benomar will return to the capital Sanaa following the meeting, which is being held in the northern Saada province, Anadolu Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting, Saturday.

The meeting comes amid deadly clashes between army troops and Houthi militants in the capital Sanaa since Thursday, which left at least 60 people dead.

Houthis have staged massive protests to demand the dismissal of Prime Minister Mohamed Basindawa’s government, along with the reversal of a recent government decision to slash fuel subsidies.

Demonstrations turned deadly earlier this month after protesters camped outside government buildings and blocked key roads in the capital.

President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi recently offered to sack the government, inviting the Houthis to take part in the formation of a unity government. He also offered to reduce fuel prices.

According to Hadi’s proposal, however, the president would retain the right to directly appoint the ministers of “strategic” government portfolios (interior, defense and foreign affairs).

The Houthis, however, rejected Hadi’s offer and vowed to escalate protests further.

Yemen has been dogged by unrest since a popular uprising that began in 2011 ousted longstanding president Ali Abdullah Saleh one year later. (T/P002/P3)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)