Shiite rebels back choice of new Yemen premier

SANAA — Yemen's president on yesterday appointed a diplomat and former oil minister as prime minister, after securing backing of Islamists as well as Shiite rebels who control the capital amid hopes of easing a political deadlock in the impoverished, violence-stricken country.

Khaled Bahah, Yemen's ambassador to the United Nations, will have 30 days to form a government in the restive Arabian Peninsula nation after rival political groups gave their backing to his selection by President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, state media reported.

In a statement, Shiite Houthi rebels who have controlled the capital, Sanaa, for weeks said they "welcome" the appointment of Bahah. Last week, the Houthis rejected Hani's previous choice for the post, presidential adviser Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, who then withdrew his nomination.

The appointment is part of a peace deal brokered by the United Nations after Houthis swept through Sanaa and took over army barracks, ministries and vital state institutions last month. Under terms of the deal, Hadi was to appoint a new prime minister after securing consensus of various political factions. Houthis, the rival Islah party, and representatives of a southern movement signed the deal.

Yemen, the Arab world's poorest and perhaps most chronically unstable nation, has faced a troubled transition after long-ruling President Ali Abdullah Saleh agreed to step down after a 2011 uprising inspired by the Arab Spring. Two suicide bombings on Thursday killed nearly 70 people — one targeting an anti-government rally by the Houthis.

Hadi, who has US backing, faces sectarian challenges both from the Houthis and hardline Sunni Muslims, including an al-Qaida branch in the south that the United States has been battling for years with a drone campaign and in coordination with the Yemeni military.

Born in 1965, Bahah is from southern Yemen, studied banking and graduated from an Indian university. He has also previously served as oil minister and ambassador to Canada.

Balah is set to become Yemen's first new prime minister in two years, after Mohammed Salem Bassindwa was forced out last month. Bassindwa was criticized for the country's deteriorating security situation and as too close to Islah, which is one of Yemen's traditional power bases.