RIYADH: Yemen’s main problem is not the Houthi terrorists who have taken control of much of the country but their ally, former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, whose forces are better trained and armed, said Foreign Minister Riad Yassine.

He also told Reuters that there could be no future role for Saleh or his family in Yemen, while the Houthis could only play a part if they disarm.

“The main thing now is if Ali Abdullah Saleh forces stop fighting with them, I think they (the Houthis) will start to retreat. Our main problem now is not the Houthis. They are few, they have only light weapons,” Abdulla said.

Yassine said the fighting in Aden and some other cities was not the result of Houthi advances, but of local garrisons loyal to Saleh, including the Republican Guard, shelling troops and residential areas loyal to the government.

“For president Saleh, his family, there should not be any role. This is now the end of it after what he has done to our people and our country,” Abdulla said.

He said Houthis could only participate in a dialogue once they return to their northern heartland around Saadeh, surrender weapons and become a purely political party.