The Yemeni parliament is preparing to hold its first meeting since the 2014 coup led by the Iran-backed Houthi militias.
The session is set to be held in early 2019 and the necessary security measures and logistic preparations are being taken to ensure its success.
Asharq Al-Awsat learned that Prime Minister Moeen Abdelmalek has been tasked by President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi to finalize all arrangements to receive 142 lawmakers at the session.
Deputy parliament Speaker Mohammed al-Shaddadi said that the parliament will demand during the meeting the release of lawmakers held captive in Houthi-held regions. Some 30 MPs are being held under house arrest by the militias.
He revealed that preparations to hold the session have been complete.
The media and diplomatic corps have been invited to attend, he added.
The meeting, should it be held, will deal a blow to the Houthis, who are striving to obstruct parliament work.
Along with various lawmakers, Shaddadi expressed concern that the militias could sabotage the session through “sleeper cells” or through their allies in Yemen.
As a safety precaution, the location of the meeting was not disclosed, but observers speculated that it will be held in the temporary capital Aden.
The agenda will include the 2019 budget and nominating a new speaker.
