Yemen Gets New Gov’t Aimed at Solving Crisis

Local Editor

Yemen on Friday announced a new 36-member government intended to take the impoverished country out of political crisis, the state news agency Saba said.

Formation of the new cabinet under a peace deal agreed on September 21, had been delayed because of tensions between the rebels and their political rivals.

The new government includes four women, one of whom takes the information and culture portfolio. Four members of the outgoing cabinet were reappointed and three more changed portfolios.

Career diplomat Abdullah al-Saidi becomes foreign minister, and the new defence minister is General Mahmud al-Subaihi, who was commander of the 4th Military Region.

Political police chief General Jalal al-Ruishen becomes interior minister.

On November 1, the main political parties signed a new agreement, sponsored by UN envoy to Yemen Jamal Benomar, for the formation of a government of technocrats.

Under the accord, representatives of the rebels and their rivals mandated President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi to form a government and committed to support it.

In response to to the Yemeni announcement, the White House welcomed the formation of Yemen's new government, and encouraged the impoverished Arab nation to overcome partisan politics following weeks of turmoil.

Washington said it "welcomes the formation of a new cabinet in Yemen," National Security Council spokeswoman Bernadette Meehan said in a statement.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team