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Yemen cabinet dismissed

September 2, 2014

Yemeni President Hadi has dismissed the government amid mass protests. Shiite rebels have mobilized tens of thousands of people in recent days in a bid for new political leadership and a reversal of austerity measures.

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Jemen/ Demonstration/ Sanaa
Image: Reuters

The Yemeni cabinet was dismissed on Tuesday, according to government officials speaking on a condition of anonymity. The country's president, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, reached the decision a day after mass anti-government protests had escalated, bringing the capital city to a standstill.

Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi Präsident Jemen
President Hadi had proposed a six-region federation earlier this year. Shiite rebels rejected the planImage: Mohammed Huwais/AFP/Getty Images

There was no immediate comment available from the prime minister, who was released from his duties on Tuesday.

The SABA news agency reported the president as saying: "The nation is passing through tough times...It is standing at a crossroads: either walk the path of life, development and a new Yemen, or chaos, lawlessness and the unknown."

President Hadi furthermore announced on Tuesday that he would partially restore fuel subsidies, thus lowering costs by 30 percent. The move came in response to protesters' demands.

Houthi movement

Political and economic instability have gripped Yemen since early 2012, when its long-time leader Ali Abdullah Saleh was forced from power. The government has struggled since then against an al Qaeda insurgency and a secessionist movement in the country's south.

In recent months, a Zaidi Shiite rebel group led by Abdel-Malek el-Houti has expanded its influence in the north of Yemen, where they form the majority.

Their calls for a departure from the current unity government escalated in August with protests in Yemen's capital city, Sanaa. What began as protests camps near key ministry buildings and the Sanaa international airport turned into mass demonstrations.

Despite calls from the UN Security Council last week for the Houthis to cease all hostilities, the group mobilized tens of thousands of people on Monday. It had also warned the government that it would urge its followers to follow a path of civil disobedience if its demands were not met.

kms/hc (AP, AFP, Reuters, dpa)