Yemen names new PM in fresh bid to end crisis

This is President Hadi's second attempt to end the political deadlock after his previous nominee rejected the appointment following strong opposition from Shiite rebels.

SANAA // President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi on Monday named Yemen’s envoy to the UN Khalid Bahah as his new premier, his second bid this month to end the country’s political crisis, state news agency Saba said.

“After consultations over several nominees, all advisers nominated Khalid Mahfoudh Bahah,” Saba reported.

Mr Hadi’s move came after Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak rejected his nomination only 24 hours after he was appointed on Tuesday following strong opposition from Shiite rebels.

The rebels, known as Houthis from the name of their leading family, stormed into Sanaa in a lightning offensive on September 21 and proceeded to establish a strong military presence, mounting patrols and manning checkpoints.

The nomination of a neutral prime minister is stipulated in a UN-sponsored ceasefire deal that also provides for the withdrawal of the rebels from Sanaa once the premier has been named, their disarmament and revitalisation of the political transition.

Meanwhile, southern separatists in Yemen have called for huge demonstrations on Tuesday to demand secession, aiming to benefit from the political chaos in Sanaa.

Hardliners in the Southern Movement called for protests in Aden, the capital of former South Yemen, and in Mukalla, provincial capital of Hadramawt in the south-east.

The chosen date, October 14, marks the 51st anniversary of the south’s revolt against British colonial rule.

The aim is to “send one last message to the northerners that we are more determined than ever to build an independent state,” said Abdullah al-Jifri, leader of a southern faction.