SANAA
The Shiite Houthi group in Yemen has defended its recent takeover of the government, describing the move as "the only solution" to the country's political crisis.
Mohamed Ali Al-Houthi, a leading member of the group, said that the "constitutional declaration" by which the group dissolved the parliament and announced a transitional council last week was "necessary."
"Political parties must respect the will of the people," Al-Houthi was quoted as saying on Thursday on the Yemeni defense ministry's website.
"Members of parliament as well as any groups which had no representation at the assembly have the priority in joining the national council," he added.
Al-Houthi also said that his group was making progress in its "war on American and other foreign intelligence agents."
Last Friday, the Shiite group issued a "constitutional declaration" dismantling parliament and establishing a 551-member "transitional council" to lead the country.
The move came on the heels of the resignation of President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi in late January after Houthi militants seized the presidential palace in Sanaa.
The declaration was rejected by most of Yemen's political forces – along with some neighboring countries – which described it as a "coup" against "constitutional legitimacy."
Late last September, the Houthis seized control of Sanaa and has since sought to expand their influence to other provinces farther afield.
