Gulf nations reject Shia group's takeover in Yemen

The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Saturday rejected the Shia Houthis' takeover in Yemen and warned of steps to protect its members' interests, media reported.

In a meeting in Riyadh, the GCC said the Gulf nations would continue to stand with the Yemenis and criticised the Shia Houthi group's latest move denouncing it as a coup that would end the peaceful political process in Yemen, Xinhua news agency reported.

The GCC comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

"This Houthi coup is a dangerous escalation which we reject and is unacceptable. It totally contradicts the spirit of pluralism and coexistence which Yemen has known," the six-nation bloc said.

The GCC warned that the latest developments would lead to more violence and bloodshed in Yemen, and called upon the international community to take responsibility by denouncing it, especially the UN Security Council.

On Friday, the Houthi group announced it was taking over the government and dissolving parliament in Yemen.

It also formed a five-member presidential council to exercise the power of the presidency, a move that further deepened the chaos after Yemen's president and premier resigned last month.

Moreover, a transition national council comprising 551 members will also be set up to replace the parliament, which is currently under the control of former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Government sources said the Houthis' declaration was unilateral without reaching a consensus with other political parties.

However, some senior officials, including the defence minister and interior minister of the outgoing government, were seen attending the meeting held in the Republican Palace in Sanaa.