Yemen's STC declares 2-yr transitional phase ahead of referendum

Chief of Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC) Aidarous Al-Zubaidi announced here on Friday the launch of a two-year transitional period during which the council will administer the southern parts of the country, to be followed by a referendum on the independence of the south.

In a televised speech delivered via the STC-affiliated AIC channel, Al-Zubaidi said the move was based on what he called a popular mandate and recent security and administrative developments in the region. The Saudi-backed Yemeni government has yet to comment on the STC's announcement.