Yemen's prime minister on Wednesday (February 7th) appealed for reconciliation with southern separatists after deadly clashes last month in which they seized most of Aden, where his government has its base, AFP reported.
Mediation efforts by Saudi Arabia and the UAE have persuaded the separatists to lift their siege of the presidential palace and hand back three military camps to government troops, security sources said.
But they remain in control of the rest of the city, as well as parts of neighbouring provinces.
Prime Minister Ahmed Obeid bin Dagher called for an end to the infighting between the rival sides, which previously fought together against the Houthis (Ansarallah).
"The mission today is to bridge the gap, heal the wounds and abandon political escalation," bin Dagher told the first cabinet meeting since the fighting.
"Based on directives from the president, we will work for social reconciliation in Aden and neighbouring provinces to pave the way for comprehensive national reconciliation," local media quoted him as saying.
Saudi Arabia and the UAE are the main contributors to a coalition that has been supporting President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi against the Houthis since 2015.
