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Yemen president refuses to reconsider resignation
[DAILYMAIL.CO.UK] Yemen's president will not reconsider his resignation, despite pressure for him to do so by rebels who control the capital and who he says are holding him "at gunpoint," an official close to him said Saturday.
"Nope. I ain't gonna be president!"
The refusal comes after representatives from Yemeni political parties met Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi at his home, where the rebels, known as Houthis, continue to hold him under house arrest and are searching all visitors.
"Search that guy, Mahmoud! He might be carryin' a ladder!"
Impoverished Yemen, home to a formidable al-Qaeda affiliate, has been leaderless since Hadi resigned this month after the Houthis pressured him for a greater share of power.
"'A greater share of power?' Here, take the hat! I quit!"
The Houthis, who have controlled the capital, Sanaa, since September, and their supporters have been holding a conference in a sports stadium since Friday -- saying they seek to organize "a peaceful transfer of power."
"We're gonna be in charge, but we don't want nobody to shoot back!"
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity
... for fear of being murdered...
because he was not authorized to speak to news hounds, said Hadi was willing to participate in a national dialogue session -- provided that it took place outside the rebel-controlled capital. He said Hadi proposed the southern city of Taiz as an alternate venue.
"Taiz is nice in February! But if y'want, we can hold it in Miami Beach!"
Later in the day, a U.S. drone strike hit a car in Shabwa province, killing four suspected al-Qaeda operatives, Yemeni tribal and security officials said.
"Ahmed! What's that sound? [KABOOM!]"
A similar strike targeted the group last Monday, signaling Washington's determination to keep fighting the holy warriors despite political paralysis brought on by a power grab by Iranian catspaws. The officials did not give the nationalities of the men killed. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to release the information otherwise.

Also Saturday, hundreds of anti-Houthi
...a Zaidi Shia insurgent group operating in Yemen. They have also been referred to as the Believing Youth. Hussein Badreddin al-Houthi is said to be the spiritual leader of the group and most of the military leaders are his relatives. The Yemeni government has accused the Houthis of having ties to the Iranian government, which wouldn't suprise most of us. The group has managed to gain control over all of Saada Governorate and parts of Amran, Al Jawf and Hajjah Governorates. Its slogan is God is Great, Death to Americaâ„¢, Death to Israel, a curse on the Jews ...
protesters formed a human chain in the city of Dhamar that was later broken up by rebels who fired automatic rifles into the air. In a statement, the demonstrators demanded a halt to all dialogue with the Houthis until they disarm and release detained activists.

Military officials said the Houthis still control most of the capital's military installations and arms depots, and have at their disposal heavy weapons including hundreds of T-72 tanks, self-propelled artillery and Katyusha rocket launchers.

The Houthis also recently captured a Republican Guard camp outside Sanaa which had been used by American experts until 2012 to train local forces battling Yemen's al-Qaeda's affiliate, which Washington considers to be its most dangerous branch.

The military officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to the press.

Since the Houthis escalated their conflict with the embattled central government in January, demonstrators have taken to the streets in several cities to protest their power grab.
Posted by: Fred 2015-02-01
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=409766