ADEN: Chief of Yemen's Southern Transitional Council (STC) Aidarous Al-Zubaidi announced here on Friday the launch of a two-year transitional period during which the council will administer the southern parts of the country, to be followed by a referendum on the independence of the south.
In a televised speech delivered via the STC-affiliated AIC channel, Al-Zubaidi said the move was based on what he called a popular mandate and recent security and administrative developments in the region, reports Xinhua news agency.
"The two-year transitional period will conclude with a constitutional declaration to restore the State of South Yemen, " Al-Zubaidi said, adding that the declaration is scheduled to take effect on January 2, 2028.