Yemeni talks reach deadlock

Negotiations between Yemeni political powers have reached a deadlock after the Houthi group and the National Congress Party (NCP), the two main rivals, failed to settle their disputes about the shape of the legislative council that will run the transitional phase in the coming stage.
Talks lasted for two weeks but were interrupted due to the Houthi constitutional declaration meant to pressure the political powers.
Negotiations had resumed under the auspices of Jamal Benomar, the UN envoy to Yemen.
Benomar tried to solve the dispute between the two sides who met on Saturday and Sunday, but his efforts failed.
The NCP issued a statement to explain developments in the talks and concessions it made in vain with the aim to reach a solution.
The NCP first secretary said the party and its allies insist that the problem created by the resignation of the president and prime minister should be solved through the constitution and parliamentary legitimacy.
The NCP is willing to take part in any future negotiations based on constitutional legitimacy, the party's first secretary said.
He added that the NCP took into consideration fears of Yemeni political powers that the party might control the house of representatives, noting that the NCP suggested to expand the shura council to group all powers that are not represented in the house of representatives, atop of which the Houthis.
This is stated in the peace and partnership agreement, the party's first secretary said.
Members of the shura council will increase to 250, plus 301 members of the house of representatives, the NCP official said, adding both houses will include 551 members as stated in the Houthi constitutional declaration.
The constitutional declaration has stipulated that members of the shura council be of factions that have no seats at the house of representatives, namely the Houthis, the Southern Mobility Movement, women and youths.
The NCP official suggested to name the meeting of the two houses the "transitional national conference" and that it run the major policies of the country and make fateful decisions and endorse laws during the transitional period. The Houthis turned down the offer.
The Houthis seem to be moving in two directions: taking part in the negotiations and implementing articles of the constitutional declaration that was unilaterally announced 10 days ago.
Under the constitutional declaration, the Houthis dissolved Yemen’s parliament and announced the formation of a transitional “presidential council” which will act as a government for an interim period of two years.
The constitutional declaration further said that a "transitional national council of 551 members," which will replace the parliament, will be set up to elect the five-member “presidential council.”
The move by the Houthi movement came after the United Nations hosted a new round of talks between political factions in Yemen a day after a deadline set by the movement for Yemeni parties to resolve a power vacuum expired.
The revolutionary committee is set to meet later Monday with members of the dissolved parliament, who wish to join the national council, whose members will be announced in a few days.
The council will then name members of the presidential council and the prime minister who will be tasked with forming the Houthi government.