MOSCOW, October 9 (RIA Novosti) - Yemen's newly-appointed Prime Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak has asked the president to relieve him of his duties following a protest by Houthi Shiite rebels, who control a part of the capital city Sanaa, the Associated Press cited local Saba news agency as saying Thursday.
Mubarak said his decision to step down was aimed at diffusing the conflict and preventing the country from splitting further apart.
Mubarak served previously as a director of the presidential office. Following his appointment, he was tasked with forming a new government, which was a condition for Houthi's leaving Sanaa. But top Houthi official Ali Bukaiti said that the new prime minister did not represent the will of the people.
Rebels said earlier they were planning a rally on Thursday to protest against Mubarak's appointment.
Yemen is currently in a state of turmoil, with Houthi rebels in control of the entrances to the city, as well as many residential buildings. They are also reported to be using abandoned structures to store weapons and ammunition.
