Yemen president resigns under pressure from rebels

SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Yemen's president resigned today under pressure from Shiite rebels who seized the capital in September and have confined the embattled leader to his home the past two days.

Presidential officials said Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, a close U.S. ally in the fight against Yemen's powerful al-Qaida affiliate, submitted his resignation to parliament after being pressured to make further concessions to the rebels, known as Houthis, who are widely believed to be backed by Iran, charges they deny.

Hadi had earlier pledged political concessions in return for the rebels withdrawing from his house and the nearby presidential palace after days of clashes, but Houthi fighters remained deployed around both buildings throughout today.

Military officials close to the president said Hadi resigned after the Houthis pressured him to give a televised speech to calm the streets. They said the Houthis also demanded appointments in his own office, the Defense Ministry and provincial capitals, demands Hadi rejected.