Sana’a, Sep 21 (IANS) Yemeni Prime Minister Mohammed Basindawa resigned Sunday amid week-long deadly clashes between the army and Shia rebels here in the capital, a government official said.

Basindawa has informed the president and the Shia Houthi group about his resignation, Xinhua quoted the official as saying on condition of anonymity.

President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi had Sep 2 announced a peace initiative, in which he promised to replace the government and appoint a new prime minister within a week, in order to end mass protests led by the Shia Houthi group.

However, the rebels rejected the initiative and launched a military offensive against the army and the Sunni Islah party, a key player in the government.

Hadi’s decision also sparked a spat in the government and the prime minister refused to resign earlier this month.