The Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied on Wednesday it held meetings with a delegation of the Yemeni Shi'a Houthi rebel group. A Yemeni delegation reportedly arrived in Cairo Monday to discuss bilateral cooperation with officials, said Deif-Allah Al-Shamy, a prominent member of the Shi'a Houthi rebel group, on his Facebook page. The visit aimed at fostering economic cooperation between different countries around the world, said Al-Shamy. He added that there were several other official Yemeni visits including a visit to Russia, which he described as "fruitful in terms of mutual respect and opening diplomatic and economic relations with both countries". Foreign ministry spokesman Badr Abdelatty denied meetings between ministry officials and the Houthi delegation, according to the ministry's statement. Abdelatty asserted that Egypt supports "institutions and figures of legitimate state". Yemen has been witnessing increasing turmoil following the power grab by Shi'a rebel troops led by Abdul Malik Al-Houthi in the north. The group have taken over many Yemeni cities and entered the capital Sanaa in September 2014 amid clashes with the state forces, which left hundreds dead, including civilians. In February, the Houthis declared a new constitutional draft. Following the resignation of Yemeni president Mansour Abd Rabou Hadi, along with his cabinet, the declaration announced the formation of a new interim government.
