Hadi on Saturday accused the Houthi movement that controls the capital Sana’a of staging a coup against him, and said he would "raise Yemen's flag" in the Houthis' northern stronghold.

In a letter to the Security Council, seen by Reuters, Hadi called for an "urgent intervention in all available means to stop this aggression that is aimed at undermining the legitimate authority, the fragmentation of Yemen and its peace and stability."

The Houthis have seized the capital, Sana’a, and advanced into different areas.

UN mediator Jamal Benomar is likely to brief the council on Sunday via video link and the ambassadors of Yemen and Qatar, as chair of the (Persian) Gulf Cooperation Council, will also speak, diplomats said.

The Security Council is negotiating a statement on Yemen that could be adopted during the meeting, according to the diplomats.