Houthis proposed on Thursday to General Peoples Congress leaders handing over late ex-President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s body, along with those of other supporters, under the condition that no official funeral ceremony is held during the burial. The Houthi offer to return Saleh’s body is an effort led by the coup’s self-proclaimed governing council head Saleh al-Sammad to reconcile with political leaders, military officials and tribal heads loyal to the Congress, Sanaa-based party sources told Asharq Al-Awsat. In December 2017, Saleh withdrew from his alliance with the Iran-backed Houthis and instead sided with the Saudi-led Arab Coalition and internationally-recognized Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi. Accused of treason, Saleh was killed days later by the Houthis while attempting to leave the coup-run Sanaa. Sources said that Congress leaders in Sanaa were divided over the Houthi proposal, whether approved or rejected. Among those who opposed it was a member of the partys general committee, tribal leader Naji Jamaan. Speaking on condition of anonymity, the sources said that Congress leaders headed by Sadiq Amin Abu Ras held a consultative meeting a few days ago to discuss the Houthi offer. However, the majority of those present rejected the proposal, demanding an official and popular funeral for Saleh. According to sources, party leaders have already conveyed their refusal, asked Abu Ras to inform Houthis of the rejection, and demanded holding a public and formal funeral for Saleh and others. Houthi leaders, including Sammad, also held several meetings with sheikhs of the Bani Harith tribe, which is rooted in Sanaa’s north, to persuade Jamaan to accept the offer and bury Saleh and his companions without a funeral. Sources said that Sammad tried promoting baseless excuses that an official funeral ceremony would anger Houthi militias who stormed Saleh’s house. By reconciling with the Congress, the Houthis want to draw in pro- Congress and Saleh figures to fight on their side and secure the northern front of Sanaa. The Bani Harith tribe is active on that front, which has been vulnerable to security breaches, which in turn favors government forces in their advance on the area.