Yemen prepares for March national dialogue conference

 Around 50% of delegates will represent southern political blocs Sanaa – Ali Rabea Two leading factions in Yemen's southern opposition have handed over party lists ahead of the country’s national dialogue conference slated for March. The conference's preparatory committee has rejected all party lists with the exception of the Yemeni Socialist Party (YSP).
Committee spokesman Amal al-Basha said the South People's Congress bloc handed its slate to President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi on Sunday.
Abdullah al-Nakhbi, another committee member, also confirmed his southern Hirak faction have submitted a party list.
Politicians tasked with preparing for the hotly anticipated conference have allocated 85 seats to southern groups.
Extreme separatist groups led by former Vice-President Ali Salim al-Beidh have turned down invitations to join the conference, insisting on secession instead.
According to al-Basha, the committee is currently engaged in discussions to elect seven judges and administrations “known for their integrity, impartiality and patriotism” to preside over the dialogue talks.
The committee discussed the lists of names of women, youth activists and civil society representatives.
Around 50 percent of attendees will represent southern factions, in a move some analysts have seen as a peace offering to secessionist blocs in the South.