Opposition leaders have repeatedly threatened to unilaterally form an “interim council” that would act as a rival government in the wake of President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s fleeing to Saudi Arabia. They insisted that the only alternative was a new GCC-mediated transition initiative.

Despite this, GCC officials report, interim ruler Major General Hadi has repeatedly refused to talk to the GCC about a new round of talks. Officials say that Hadi insisted he was too busy with the “security situation in the province.”

Yemen’s army has been fighting with various factions over the control of cities, and is still dealing with a very tentative ceasefire with tribesmen who just weeks ago looked prepared to chase the entire government out of the capital.