Yemen govt rules out talks until separatists withdraw from Aden

Yemen's government on Wednesday ruled out talks with southern separatists until they withdraw from positions they seized last week in second city Aden.

The fighting saw forces that back the Southern Transitional Council (STC) take five barracks, the presidential palace and the prime minister's office.

The fighting sparked tensions within a Saudi-led coalition that backs the government against northern-based Huthi rebels.

A key member of the coalition, the United Arab Emirates, trained the force that led the Aden offensive.

Saudi Arabia has proposed peace talks in Riyadh, a call supported by the UAE.

Yemen's Washington embassy, quoting the foreign ministry, on Wednesday welcomed the Saudi initiative to address the "coup" in Aden. But, it said in a tweet, separatists "must first commit to total withdrawal from areas forcibly seized by STC in past few days before start of any talks."