Rival Yemen parties reach consensus over transitional council formation

Yemen's rival parties have agreed to set up a "people's transitional council" in order to resolve the ongoing political crisis in the country and to ensure smooth governance.

According to the BBC, UN mediator Jamal Benomar announced the preliminary accord on Thursday and hailed it as "an important step". He said that further dialogue was needed on the arrangements for government ministries.

In regard to the interim deal reached following UN intervention, Yemen's house of representatives, which largely comprises of MPs from the former ruling party will stay intact.

The report added that instead of the traditional upper house a new transitional council will consist of traditionally unrepresented sectors among Yemen's formerly independent South, women and young people.