WASHINGTON, January 23 (Sputnik) — Washington is looking to get confirmation of the reports on the resignation of the Yemeni president, Jen Psaki, spokesperson for the US Department of State said during the press briefing on Thursday.
“We’ve obviously seen the reports. Our team is seeking confirmation of all of the reports,” Psaki stated.
A local source told Sputnik on Thursday that Yemen’s parliament will vote on President’s resignation submitted on Thursday during an emergency session on Saturday, noting that in case of resignation, “the parliament speaker will act as head of state until early presidential elections are held.”
“We continue to support a peaceful transition,” Psaki said, adding that the United States urges all parties to abide by the Peace and National Partnership Agreement, and its implementation mechanism.
“There is no question that implementation of that by the Houthis and taking specific steps including the immediate release of the presidential chief of staff, pulling back of armed Houthi forces and steps to get Yemen’s political process back on track are key to determining the success of that,” Psaki concluded.
Tensions in the country flared last Saturday after Hadi’s chief of staff was kidnapped with two of his guards by the rebels. Ongoing clashes between government forces and fighters have been reported across the Yemeni capital since early Monday.
The Houthis, a Zaidi Shiite insurgent group, have seized parts of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa, and organized major anti-government rallies in recent months, protesting against what they believe to be widespread discrimination. The group was also involved in removing former Yemeni leader Ali Abdullah Saleh from office in 2012.
