Sanaa, Feb 13 (IANS): UN special envoy to Yemen Jamal Benomar has warned that the country may be on the brink of civil war, accusing all sides of being responsible for the political and economic turmoil.

Yemen is slipping further into chaos as the Houthis, an armed Shia group from the north, consolidate their grip on power after seizing the capital Sanaa in September and sidelining the central government, Al Jazeera reported Friday.

"Yemen is at a crossroad, either the country will descend into civil war and disintegration or a political transition will work," Benomar said while addressing the UN Security Council Thursday.

Following Benomar's statements, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a warning before the council saying, "Yemen is collapsing before our eyes" and the international community cannot stand by and watch.

Benomar also warned that instability in Yemen is creating conditions for Al Qaeda's re-emergence.

US, Britain and France have closed their embassies in Sanaa, citing security concerns.