SANAA

Differences between Yemen's political forces over cabinet representation are delaying the formation of a new government, a local political source said Wednesday.

According to the source, the dispute emerged over the refusal of the General People's Conference Party, led by former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, and the Shiite Houthi group to give President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi the right to appoint heads of strategic ministries (interior, defense, finance and foreign affairs) in line with recommendations made earlier this year.

A coalition of 13 Yemeni opposition parties, meanwhile, insists that the recommendations – which came out of a national dialogue conference held earlier this year – be implemented.

The recommendations also called for giving the 13-party coalition – composed of leftist, Islamist and nationalist parties – the right to appoint two ministers in the new government.

Last week, the Houthis backed a presidential decree appointing Khaled Bahah as the new prime minister.

The Shiite Houthi group, which has remained in control of capital Sanaa since late September, had earlier opposed the appointment to the premiership of Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak to succeed Mohamed Basindawa, who resigned late last month.

The Houthis signed a deal with the presidency on September 21 that called for the formation of a technocratic government and the withdrawal of the Shiite group from Sanaa.

The agreement, however, has yet to take effect, as the Houthis attempt to extend their influence beyond the capital to other parts of the country.

Yemen has been dogged by political turmoil since a popular uprising that erupted in 2011 toppled autocratic ruler Ali Abdullah Saleh one year later.

Some Arab capitals have accused Shiite Iran of supporting Yemen's ongoing Houthi insurgency.

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