Local sources told the Yemen Post that President Saleh has sought to force Al-Ezi bin Abadan to withdraw his candidacy as governor of Al-Jawf. The negotiations led Al-Jawf sheikhs and tribes supporting Abadan to lift their siege on the government complex in Al-Hazm, the capital city of Al-Jawf province.

Bin Abadan support amassed last week after a first-instance court rejected the results of elections and ordered conducting new elections, demanding the result to be approved and to announce their fellow as the winner.

At request from Saleh, Al-Jawf sheikhs have led mediation negotiations with Al-Jawf independent candidate bin Abdan to give up in return for appointing him in a government post outside the province.

In a telephone call, Abadan stated to the Yemen Post that President Saleh summoned him on Friday and offered a deputy governor position in return for withdrawing his candidacy for former governor Fadhel Al-Qusi; however, he declined to accept the offer only after he consults the electing body.

Abadan also denied any connection with Houthis and hinted that these rumors were made by his enemies, emphasizing that he shunned his brother who has links with Houthis and people in the provinve know this.

He added that he sacrificed many things for the ruling party (General People Congress); however they turned to be ungrateful, especially when the interests of some influential people conflicted with his.

Abadan also noted that the court has no evidence to prove the invalidity of the election results and it only justified its resolution by stating that the difference in votes should be more than one.

Local sources revealed that Saleh seeks to appoint a new governor, especially after the success of negotiations that led to lifting the armed manifestations from around the government complex.

The sources added that Bakil Tribe Sheikh Al-Shaif summoned Abadan to prepare for the coming move.

In related news, sources mentioned that Houthis have infiltrated to Al-Jawf province from Sa’ada in an effort to move the battle to other grounds.

Al-Jawf province, located some 140 km to the south of the capital Sana’a, is one of the remote provinces and it is famous for constant wars and revenge killings.

Though it has fertile lands, the province is suffering from tribal conflicts and increased illiteracy and poverty rates. The province has significant presence for Islah and Sulfi members; however, there exist Zaidis and Shiite Twelvers especially among Al-Ashraf.