Yemeni president accuses rebels of dashing ‘peace’

ADEN: Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi accused rebels and their allies on Tuesday of dashing hopes for peace after they unveiled a new government in areas under their control.

Hadi said that Monday´s formation by the Iran-backed rebels of a government of national salvation showed their determination to "spread chaos and destruction" and "destroys any chance of dialogue and peace".

Speaking through a spokesman from Yemen´s second city Aden, the seat of his beleaguered government, Hadi called on the international community to "condemn this move and hold the militia responsible for the collapse of peace efforts."

Announcing their new government, the Huthi rebels said it was a response to Hadi´s "stubbornness" in pursuing a deadly war against them with the support of a Saudi-led coalition since March last year.

The war of words comes as the UN envoy for Yemen shuttles between the two sides in an effort to revive a US-backed ceasefire that collapsed after just 48 hours early last week.