Yemen's GPC, Houthis oppose new government

The ruling General People's Congress (GPC) and the Houthi group on Saturday stated opposition to Yemeni President Abdo Rabbu Mansour Hadi's decision naming members of the new cabinet.
The GPC will not take part in the government of Prime Minister Khaled Bahah which is not in consistency with the National Peace and Partnership Agreement, signed by all political forces, according to a statement by the standing committee of the party.
"The Party expected President Hadi and Prime Minister Bahah to consult with all political forces on the portfolios, particularly the sovereign ones, as per the provisions of articles Seven and Eight of the partnership agreement.
"However, the GPC and its allies were neglected which prompted us to boycott the new government and call on GPC nominees for portfolios to reject such posts," the statement stressed.
Similarly, the political council of the Houthi group said in a press release that the formation of the new government was disappointing as "it failed to meet the mutually-acceptable criterions.
"The set-up of the new government runs counter to the partnership agreement and constitutes a big hurdle on the way of political transition in favor of narrow-minded interests," the statement said.
The Houthis stressed the need of changing the format of the government in a way that could meet the criterions of integrity and efficacy.
In this connection, five newly-appointed ministers shunned their posts in protest against not being informed of their nominations beforehand.