SANAA, Yemen, Oct. 27 (UPI) -- Members of the Houthi movement are handed control over the Yemeni oil ministry under a new government, the prime minister announced.
Yemeni Prime Minister Khaled Bahah unveiled his new government Saturday, allocating control over the Oil Ministry to the Houthi movement.
The government in Sana'a was under dueling threats from the northern Houthi movement, a Shiite group, and southern separatist groups that at times have been associated with al-Qaida.
Western leaders had expressed concerns about rebel activity in Yemen. An August letter signed by U.S., European, Asian and Middle Eastern envoys to Yemen said the Houthi movement had a place in Sana'a, but expressing concerns about the group's disrespect for political transition that began with the so-called Arab Spring in 2011.
In mid-October, Norwegian energy company DNO International declared force majeure in Yemen, meaning it was freed from contractual obligations because of circumstances beyond its control, because of lingering violence in the country.
The Yemeni government said the formation of a new government would put the troubled country on the path to economic stability and peace.
