Yemen Houthis, Officials to Meet with UN to Solve Crisis
TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Houthis and Yemeni officials met Friday seeking to fine-tune a deal to end a standoff sparked by calls for the government to quit but failed to make headway, a UN diplomat said.
Even so, the two sides agreed to meet again in the presence of UN envoy Jamal Benomar, who has been in Sanaa since Thursday, in a renewed effort to clinch an agreement, the diplomat said.
Zaidis have been camped out in the capital for weeks, demanding the resignation of the government, which they accuse of corruption, and a reduction of fuel prices.
On Thursday sources from both sides said a potential deal had been reached to end the stalemate.
That deal, reached late Wednesday, stipulated that "a new prime minister will be named within 48 hours" and fuel prices be cut further, a presidency source told AFP.
Another source in President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi's office said it was an "understanding over an agreement that will be finalised by Benomar."
Talks to fine-tune the deal were held late Thursday and into the night between government representatives led by presidential adviser Abdelkarim al-Ariani and Mehdi Machchat for the Houthis.
A source close to the talks said "progress has been achieved" and that discussions focused on a new premier and cutting fuel prices.
The Huthis or Ansarullah had been demanding that Hadi consult them before naming a new prime minister.
