Yemen separatists abandon self-rule, push peace deal

Yemeni separatists yesterday abandoned their declaration of self-rule in the country's south and pledged to implement a stalled Saudi-brokered peace agreement with the government, a spokesman said.

The Southern Transitional Council (STC) announced self-governance in April after accusing the government of failing to perform its duties and of "conspiring" against the southern cause, pushing the war-ravaged country deeper into crisis.

The breakdown between the one-time allies had complicated a long and separate conflict with Iran-allied Huthi rebels who control much of the country's north.