SANAA, October 6 (RIA Novosti) - Houthis will stay in Yemen's capital Sanaa until a new government is formed, Dhaifallah al-Shami, a member of the Houthis' Political Office told RIA Novosti on Monday.
According to al-Shami, the group is to remain in the city until the establishment of a new government which can "provide security". Houthis are not to take part in the formation of the government, and will only supervise the authorities' implementation of their responsibilities, he said.
The group opposes the appointment of a prime minister, who is loyal to "foreign countries", he noted.
Al-Shami stated that so-called "people's committees" are more capable of providing security in Sanaa than their enemies, and those who demand that Houthis leave the city are provoking unrest and helping extremists.
The Houthis, a Zaidi Shia insurgent group, have been accusing the incumbent government in Sanaa of discrimination against Shiites. The group has been carrying out protests against the government since mid-August, calling for economic and political reforms.
According to Yemen's Health Ministry, about 300 people were killed in clashes between government forces and followers of the Houthi movement in late September. Hundreds of residents of Sanaa have been forced to flee for fear of escalation in violence.
Last week, hundreds of Yemenis took to the streets of Sanaa to protest the presence of the Houthi militias in the city. People demanded an immediate withdrawal of Houthis and handover of seized facilities and properties, including weaponry.
The militants have reduced their presence in Yemen's capital, but continue to control the entrances to the city, occupy residential buildings, and use abandoned structures to store weapons and ammunition.
