Hadi announces transfer of powers to presidential council

President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi announced the transfer of his powers to a presidential council, according to a statement on state-run media. The newly-created body includes a president and seven members and will lead negotiations to establish a permanent cease-fire and political settlement to the conflict, the statement said.

The president also created a 50-member Consultation and Reconciliation Authority with the aim of helping the presidential council in peace efforts. On Wednesday, The U.N. envoy for Yemen expressed concerns about violations of a cease-fire in the war-wrecked country, urging the warring sides to uphold the first nationwide truce in six years.