Yemeni foreign minister rejects talks with Houthis

Yemeni Foreign Affairs Minister Riad Yassin has refused to engage in dialogue with the Shia Houthi rebels and former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, as he accused both parties of attacking civilians, Efe news agency reported on Monday.

Speaking to Saudi daily Al-Watan, the foreign minister, who is loyal to President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, said there would be no dialogue until attacks against civilians have ceased.

Yassin noted that Saleh's fate has already been determined by a UN resolution, which denies any efforts to secure a safe haven for Saleh and his family.

Three days ago, Saleh called for peace talks among all groups and asked the Houthis to comply with the resolution issued by the UN Security Council that demanded ending the violence and withdrawing from occupied areas.