Egypt receives a delegation from Yemen’s Houthi rebels

A member of the Houthi political bureau Abdul-Malik Al-Ajri yesterday said a delegation headed by Hussein Al-Izzi arrived this morning in Cairo to meet with Yemen’s representative at the Arab League to discuss the latest political developments in Yemen and ways to enhance mutual cooperation with Egypt.

ONA news agency reported Al-Ajri as saying: “We look forward to seeing Egypt play an active role as leader of the Arab countries similar to its role which led to the success of the September 1962 revolution.”

Shia Houthi rebels staged a coup against Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi on 22 January after they surrounded the presidential palace in Sanaa forcing him to submit his resignation.

Hadi managed to escape the house arrest imposed on him and make his way to Aden on 21 February.

Hours after his arrival in Aden, Hadi announced his commitment to his legitimate right as the country’s president and said that “all decisions issued since 21 September [the date when the Houthis controlled Sanaa] are void and illegitimate”.

The group announced that Hadi lost his legitimate right as president after he submitted his resignation, warning that anyone who deals with him as “head of state” will be prosecuted and brought to justice.