Yemen to swear in government amid boycotts

Former president's party and Houthi rebels pull out from cabinet after UN slapped sanctions on three leaders. The new Yemeni government will be sworn in on Sunday despite opposition from the ruling General People's Congress (GPC) and the Houthi rebels who said that they would not back a confidence vote. The GPC said it was not consulted in forming the long-awaited cabinet and urged party nominees to turn down their assigned ministries. Houthi rebels also rejected the newly formed cabinet, demanding instead a reshuffle to dismiss members they consider unqualified or corrupt. The cabinet, formed on Friday and welcomed by Washington, "is in violation of the peace agreement... and a clear obstruction to the political process in favour of private and narrow interests," the rebels said in a statement on Saturday. The GPC's central committee also dismissed President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi from his posts as vice president and secretary general of the party, accusing him of soliciting the UN sanctions against Saleh and two Shia rebel commanders. Al Jazeera's Hashem Ahelbarra, reporting from the Yemeni capital Sanaa described the move " a major setback for the political process in the country." "It is also a signal by the deposed leader, Ali Abdullah Saleh, that he remains crucial to peace and stability in Yemen." he said. Early on Saturday, Saleh rejected the UN Security Council sanctions imposed on him for obstructing peace. UN sanctions- The UN sanctions, including a visa ban and asset freezing, are "rejected," Saleh told members of his GPC party, a day after the US-proposed measures were adopted. Saleh also said he was willing to give up the immunity he earned when he stepped down in February 2012 following nationwide protests, and expressed readiness to face Yemeni justice. "Find any (corruption) files, refer them to justice and lift the immunity. I will be there to appear in court," he said. Saleh is seen as the main backer of Houthi rebels who seized Sanaa in September unopposed, and have since expanded their control to coastal areas and regions south of Sanaa. Some army troops that remain loyal to Saleh are accused of aiding the rebels. Saleh urged GPC members to "stand by the military and security forces." On Friday, Saleh supporters protested alongside rebels in Sanaa denouncing the then planned sanctions that also hit two rebel commanders. The GPC said the UN decision to penalise Saleh for obstructing the political process is "strange," insisting that the former strongman "stepped down peacefully" for the sake of political compromise.