Dialogue talks between Yemen's political forces were suspended Saturday following the departure of UN Special Envoy Jamal Benomar, a political source has said.

There was no comment from Yemeni political forces on the report.

Yemeni political rivals have recently agreed to form a presidential council to run Yemen during the country's transition.

The rivals, however, were at odds over who should head the council.

The Muslim Brotherhood's party and leftists insist that incumbent President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi lead the council, whereas the Shiite Houthi group and the party of ex-President Ali Abdullah Saleh suggest other names.

Politically fractious Yemen has recently appeared on the brink of civil war, with the powerful Shiite Houthi movement seeking to expand its influence beyond capital Sanaa, which it took over last September.