Yemen Agrees on Transitional Council

A United Nations mediator said Friday that Yemen’s clashing parties have reached an agreement on a “people’s transitional council” to govern the country. The 301-member house of representatives will remain intact but a new transitional council will replace the upper house, and will be comprised of underrepresented groups including young people, women, and Yemen’s formerly independent South, said UN mediator Jamal Benomar. The two bodies will form Yemen’s legislature as it transitions out of political crisis. Benomar said the presidency, ministries, and security will be discussed in further negotiations. Conflict has gripped Yemen since the Houthi movement descended on the capital city of Sanaa in September, seized power last month, and forced the resignation of the president.