Former Yemeni president Ali Abdullah Saleh denied Tuesday that he supported the Shiite Houthis, pointing out that media reports on such links were groundless.
In a meeting with people of the Yemeni province of Al Beidha, Saleh who is now head of General People's Congress Party, said that he encountered Houthis many times for violating the law.
He called on all clashing sides in Yemen to sit for dialogue for the sake of the country.
Media reports affirmed that Saleh provided aid and support to the rebelling Houthis.