The story: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) reportedly wants Yemeni parties, including the Iran-backed Ansarullah movement—better known as the Houthis—to gather in Riyadh for “consultations.” The aim is to rally support for a UN-led peace initiative. Yemen’s President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi has reportedly agreed to the talks. However, Houthi politburo chief Mohammed Ali Al-Houthi has rejected a mediation role for Riyadh, requesting neutral ground as the seventh anniversary of the Saudi-led war is coming up. 

The coverage: The London-based Asharq Al-Awsat reported on Mar. 16 that “the secretariat of the GCC will send invitations to all Yemeni parties within the next 24 hours"...