Yemen president returns home for a rare parliament session

SANAA, Yemen – Yemeni government officials say President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi has returned home from Saudi Arabia to attend a rare session of parliament and elect a speaker.

The officials say Hadi's presidential plane departed from Riyadh and landed in the eastern Yemeni city of Sayoun on Friday, where the House of Representatives is due to convene on Saturday for the first time since the war started.

The war pits Houthi rebels against Hadi's government, backed by a Saudi-led coalition. Parliament has been divided into three blocs: One with Houthis, a second with Hadi, and a third in opposition to the two.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren't authorized to speak to the press.

The 301-member parliament was last elected in 2009. It's six-year term has already expired.