Yemen News Today 2015: U.N. Gravely Concerned As Fighting Rages, President Now At Rebels' Mercy

The United Nations expressed grave concern over the deteriorating political and security situation in Yemen on Tuesday following the advances made by Houthi rebels in the Yemeni capital of Sana'a.

In a statement, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon deplored the heavy fighting between rebels and Yemeni presidential guards throughout the Yemeni capital of Sana'a. The presidential palace was taken over by Shi'ite Houthi rebels with the Prime Minister's residence subjected to attacks on Monday.

On Wednesday after two days of fighting, Houthi fighters took up guard at the home of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi, but said they had not toppled him. Nevertheless, they left little doubt that the President was now at their mercy.

As the fighting raged, the U.N. Security Council called for a ceasefire, asking the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels not to abandon peace and their national partnership agreement.

The members of the Security Council also clarified that they are still recognizing the legitimate authority of President Hadi "based on election results and the terms of the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and Implementation Mechanism."

"The members of the Security Council emphasised that all parties and political actors in Yemen must stand with President Hadi, Prime Minister Bahah and Yemen's Cabinet to keep the country on track to stability and security," the Council said in a separate statement.

In a statement released by his spokesman, Ban called on the involved groups "to immediately cease all hostilities, exercise maximum restraint, and take the necessary steps to restore full authority to the legitimate government institutions."

The U.N. chief also called on for the immediate release of Dr. Ahmed Awadh Bin Mubarak, the director of the Office of the President of the Republic of Yemen, who was abducted on Jan. 17.

Meanwhile, speaking hours after the fighting broke out, Houthi leader Abdel-Malek al-Houthi warned Hadi that he had to implement a power-sharing deal struck when his men seized the capital in September.

"All the options are open and without exception and the ceiling is very, very high. And this is why, I here advise the president ... Implement this deal. It is for your benefit and for the benefit of your people," he said on live television.

On Saturday, clashes broke out in Yemen when Houthi rebels abducted Mubarak and two of his guards.

Shiite Houthis represent an important opposition force in Yemen which staged major protests and occupied several cities while demanding the country's government to resign in 2014.