Yemen's Former Leader Saleh Asks GCC for Safe Exit - Reports

Ex-Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh reportedly asked the Gulf Cooperation Council for a safe exit from Yemen for him and his family.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Ex-Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh asked the Gulf Cooperation Council for a safe exit from Yemen for him and his family by denying his links to Houthi rebels, Al Arabiya channel reported citing a GCC official.

According to Al Arabiya's Wednesday report, the GCC denied Saleh's request for safe exit.

On Tuesday, the UN Security Council passed a resolution imposing sanctions on Saleh's son and the Houthi leader. The resolution also imposed an arms embargo on the Houthis and forces loyal to Saleh.

The United States blacklisted both the Houthi leader and Saleh's son later Tuesday.

Yemen has been in turmoil since the the Houthi militant group took over large areas in several locations across the country, prompting President-in-exile Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi to flee the country.

Late in March, Hadi asked the Arab League for military aid and, following his request, a Saudi Arabia-led coalition began firing missiles into Houthi positions in Yemen.