UN envoy warns Yemen's 'protracted conflict' may turn into civil war

The United Nations' special envoy has warned that Yemen crisis may become "protracted in the vein of an Iraq, Syria, Libya combined scenario."

Jamal Benomar was speaking as the Security Council met in New York to express support for ousted President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, reported the BBC.

While addressing the council via a video link from Qatar, Benomar called for "peaceful dialogue" and warned that Yemen was on the "edge of civil war."

He also added that the participation of Shia Houthi rebels in the peace process was "crucial."

Shortly afterwards, the 15-member Security Council released a statement expressing unanimous support to President Hadi, who has sought refuge in the southern port city of Aden after fleeing the capital Sanaa in February.

The statement reaffirmed the Security Council's commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen.

It came as the rebels took control of Yemen's third-largest city, Taiz.

Instability has been rising in the nation, where al-Qaeda and Islamic State sympathisers also pose a threat.