Former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh

The United Nations is preparing to impose sanctions on three Yemeni figures, including the country’s former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, for hampering Yemen’s democratic transition, Al Arabiya’s correspondent reported Thursday.

The U.N. decision is expected to lead to strict sanctions against Houthi rebel figures and Saleh, who is accused of backing the group to restore him to power.

The sanctions will reportedly include freezing their financial assets stowed away in various foreign bank accounts, which the U.N. claims to have identified, sources told Al Arabiya News Channel.

Although Saleh fought the Houthis prior to his departure in 2012 following a popular uprising, he is reportedly backing the rebellion led by the group as a means of gaining control over several Yemeni cities, sources have said.

Saleh held a “secret meeting” with Houthis several days ago, according to media reports.

The meeting was reportedly attended by Houthi political relations chief Hussein al-Ezzi, who is in charge of signing deals with other parties, and Arif al-Zouka, a member of the ruling General People’s Congress party (GPC).

 
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