Yemen FM rules out Huthi talks until surrender

Cairo: Yemen's foreign minister today ruled out any dialogue with Huthi rebels until President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi's government retakes full control of the country.

Foreign Minister Riyadh Yassin said there could be "no negotiations and dialogue until the legitimate government has control over all Yemeni lands".

"Any party that wants to talk about dialogue has to first give up weapons seized from bases and return them to the state," he told Egyptian state television in an interview.

Hadi had told an Arab League summit yesterday that the Saudi-led intervention against the Huthis should continue until the rebels surrender and their leaders face justice.

The Huthis and allied renegade military units have overrun much of the country, prompting Hadi to flee what had been his last remaining refuge in the main southern city Aden for Saudi Arabia.