UNITED NATIONS (Sputnik) – Houthi rebels that have ceased power in Yemen must release the government officials that remain under house arrest or are still subject to detention, the UN Security Council has stressed.
"The members of the Security Council welcomed that the legitimate President of Yemen, Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi, is no longer under house arrest. The members of the Security Council demanded that the Houthis immediately, unconditionally and safely release Prime Minister Bahah, members of the Cabinet and all individuals still under house arrest or arbitrarily detained," the Security Council said in a statement issued on Wednesday.
The Council once again emphasized that all the necessary conditions need to be created so that a democratic transition of power takes place in Yemen.
Earlier this week, the Council extended the sanctions it imposed against Yemen in November for an additional year, over continuing unrest in the country.
Power in Yemen is currently in the hands of the Ansar Allah Houthi rebel group.
Houthis, who are the main opposition force in Yemen, dissolved the country's parliament in the capital Sanaa and created a presidential council in a "constitutional declaration" on February 6.
Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi and the country's government resigned in January after the Houthis captured the presidential palace and government buildings.
Hadi was then subject to house arrest, but was released at the end of last week.
