Return to the negotiating table, or face sanctions.  This was the United Nations' warning against Houthi rebels, following their announcement Friday, they have taken over Yemen. 

The rebels said, they've dissolved the country's parliament, and announced a series of constitutional decrees to claim power over the country. The Houthis delivered their message from the Republican palace in Yemeni capital, Sanaa.

Like Us on Facebook

The rebels' announcement came after a Wednesdsay deadline they've set on a UN-led peace talks expired. 

One of the decrees the shi'ite rebels issued, was the creation of a 551-member transitional national council that would elect a presidential council. 

The Houthis also announced the formation of a so-called "supreme revolutionary committee" that will oversee local provincial affairs. 

The group is also set to amend the draft constitution before putting it to a vote.

The rebel group had also set a period of two years as transitional phase.

Gulf Arab states had called for a tougher international response, following the rebels' takeover in Sanaa.

The United Nations Security Council expressed grave concern over the Houthis' takeover. The 15-member council had said, it is prepared to take actions - which could mean sanctions - if the Shia group does not return to negotiations.

It also called for the release of Yemen's deposed President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, the Prime Minister, and the cabinet, who are all under house arrest. 

The United States for its part, has condemned the Houthi's move to dissolve the parliament, spokeswoman Marie Harf said.  She added, the Houthis did not meet the standards of a consensus-based solution to the crisis set by the UN envoy to Yemen.

In the southern city of Taiz, protesters took to the streets to denounce the rebels' takeover and the move to dissolve the parliament.  The Yemen's Council of Revolutionary Youth, had called on people to resist the decrees. 

The Sunni Islamist Islah party meanwhile sees, "the situation in Yemen is heading towards a new conflict".

Yemen faced serious political unrest when the Houthis kidnapped an aide of President Hadi in January, in an attempt to block a draft constitution.

The rebels guarded the presidential palace and other key government institutions.  This forced Hadi to resign and enter into an agreement with the Houthis. 

Mr. Hadi and his cabinet had been placed under house arrest since then.    

TagsHouthi Rebels, yemen crisis