ADEN, Yemen

A host of Yemeni lawmakers, ministers and politicians have called for naming a new capital of the country until Sanaa is freed from the control of Houthi militants.

Concluding a meeting in the southern city of Aden, they appeal to the international community to support their proposal.

The statement, read out by Aden Governor Abdel-Aziz bin Habtor, also called for setting up a coordination body of representatives from all provinces opposed to the Houthi takeover.

Earlier this month, the Shiite militant group issued what they described as a constitutional declaration dissolving parliament and establishing a 551-member transitional council.

The declaration, however, was rejected by most of Yemen's political forces – along with neighboring countries – which described it as a coup against constitutional legitimacy.