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			 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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