The move follows the takeover of power by the Houthi movement, a
Shi'ite Muslim militia, which led to the resignation of the
president last month and the paralysis of many of Yemen's state
institutions.
"This progress is not a (final) agreement, but an important
breakthrough that paves the way towards a comprehensive agreement,"
Benomar said in a statement.
As part of the new formula, Yemen's old 301-member house of
representatives, made up overwhelmingly of MPs from the former
ruling party thought to be sympathetic to the Houthis, will stay in
place.
Instead of the traditional upper house, a new transitional council -
whose numbers were not specified - will consist of traditionally
unrepresented sectors among Yemen's formerly independent South,
women and young people.
Together the two bodies will make legislation guiding Yemen's
transition.
Arrangements for the vacated presidency and ministries along with
security required further dialogue, Benomar added.
There was no immediate comment by the Houthis or the two main Sunni
Islamist and socialist opposition parties.
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Security in Yemen has been steadily unraveling since the Houthis
invaded the capital Sanaa in September and began imposing their writ
on the government.
Regional power house Saudi Arabia along with the United States have
both closed their embassies in Sanaa and fear the political vacuum
may empower al Qaeda's strong affiliate in Yemen and even fuel a
full-blown sectarian civil war.
(Reporting By Mohammed Ghobari; Writing by Noah Browning; Editing by
Nick Macfie)
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