(VOVworld) – Negotiators led by Yemen’s President said Sunday that talks between the government and Shia insurgents collapsed when the Shiites refused the proposal of a technocrat government.

A Shiite gunman in Yemen.

The statement was delivered with the Shia insurgent “Houthis” group increasing pressure in the capital city of Saana on the government to resign and restore fuel subsidy policies. The Houthis last Friday incited tens of thousands of Yemenis to demonstrate in Saana, blocking roads to the airport and government buildings, the media, and electricity companies.
A government mission went to the northern province of Saada to meet the opposition leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, and to try to persuade the Houthis to join the new government and withdraw all Shia gunmen from Saana. Spokesperson for the government mission Abdulmalek al-Mikhlafi said the talks failed when the opposition turned down every proposal and seemed to be preparing for a civil war.