The United States on Thursday said it welcomed the announcement from Yemen’s exiled president that he was ceding his powers to a new leadership council at a pivotal moment in the impoverished country’s grueling civil war. 

"We urge the Presidential Leadership Council to abide by the UN-negotiated truce and cooperate with comprehensive UN-led efforts to end the conflict," Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement. "Yemenis must have the opportunity to determine the future of their country."

The eight-member council announced by President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi is tasked with negotiating a permanent cease-fire and political solution with the Houthis, the Iran-backed rebel group in control of the capital Sanaa and most of northern Yemen. The newly formed body will take on the duties of both Hadi and his former deputy, Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar. 

Hadi’s announcement came as Gulf Cooperation Council-facilitated talks between Yemeni parties concluded Thursday in the Saudi capital, Riyadh. Saudi Arabia, which leads a military coalition fighting the Houthis in neighboring Yemen, also endorsed the power transfer and is believed to have orchestrated it.