UN extends sanctions on Yemen ex-leader, two Houthi rebels

United Nations: The UN Security Council has extended sanctions on Yemen's former president and two leaders of the powerful Shiite Houthi rebels who control the capital and much of northern Yemen.

A resolution adopted unanimously by the council today renewed the sanctions it authorised last year until February 26, 2016.

That means the asset freeze and travel ban remain in place against ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh and Houthi leaders Abd al-Khaliq al-Huthi and Abdullah Yahya al Hakim.

The crisis in the impoverished country has escalated in the wake of the power grab by the Houthis, who are believed to be backed by Saleh.