Former Yemen President Hadi flees capital for hometown

SANAA, Yemen, Feb. 21 (UPI) -- Yemen's former president fled the capital for his hometown, weeks after Houthi rebels took over the capital city, forced his resignation and placed him under house arrest.

Aides to former President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi said he left the capital city for the southern city of Aden. Hadi and some of his ministers have been under house arrest since January, when Shiite insurgents upturned Yemen's government.

Hadi's move comes a day after United Nations mediator Jamal Benomar announced a preliminary accord between the Houthis and other political groups. The compromise fell short of announcing a new government, but is "an important breakthrough that paves the way toward a comprehensive agreement," Benomar said.

Yemen has been without a government since Jan. 22, when rebels forced Hadi and his entire cabinet to resign. The Houthis have taken over much of the capital, dissolving the country's parliament and installing a five-member presidential group. As fighting in the capital city grew more violent, U.S., Saudia Arabia and Italy were among the countries that suspended embassy operations.