SANAA
A Yemeni official said Thursday that a breakthrough is expected in talks aimed at solving the country's political crisis.
"President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi is pursuing efforts to cruise the homeland to safety," the official was quoted as saying by The September 26 Defense Ministry website.
Without elaborating, the official said that consultations were underway to name a new prime minister.
Yemen has been dogged by unrest since a popular uprising that began in 2011 ousted longstanding president Ali Abdullah Saleh one year later.
Tension escalated in the country in recent weeks following massive protests by Shiite Houthis to demand the dismissal of the government and the reinstatement of recently-slashed fuel subsidies.
Hadi has offered to sack the government, inviting the Houthis to take part in the formation of a new national unity cabinet. He also offered to reduce fuel prices.
The Shiite group, however, spurned the overture and vowed to further escalate its protests.
By Ali Oweida
englishnews@aa.com.tr
www.aa.com.tr/en
