Yemen’s Shiite rebels say they are dissolving country’s parliament

SANAA, Yemen – Yemen’s powerful Shiite rebels have announced they are taking over the country and dissolving the parliament. The dramatic move finalizes their power grab, which has been months in the making.

In a televised announcement Friday from the Republican Palace in the capital, Sanaa, the group said it was also forming a 151-member presidential council to act as a government for an interim two-year period.

The Houthis also said that “Revolutionary Committees” would be in charge of forming a new parliament with 551 members.

The statement, read by an unidentified Houthi representative, says “this is a new era that will take Yemen to safe shores.”