Yemen's interior ministry urged the security services on Sunday to avoid confronting Shiite rebels who have seized key institutions in Sanaa, in a statement posted on its website.

Interior Minister Abdo al-Tarib urged "all members of the ministry not to confront Ansarullah (rebels)", the website statement said.

The minister urged "cooperation" with the rebels "to strengthen security and stability, preserve public property and guard government installations... and to consider Ansarullah friends of the police," the statement said.