Update: Yemenis urged to unite against rebels following death of ex-president

Yemen’s former president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who ruled the country for more than three decades and played a pivotal role in the country’s ongoing civil war, has been killed, the country’s Houthi rebels have said.

Update 5.52pm: President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi has urged Yemenis to unify against the country's Shiite Houthi rebels, describing them as "Iranian militias" and a "nightmare".

Mr Hadi, who has been in self-imposed exile in Riyadh in recent past years, delivered his televised speech hours after the Houthis killed their onetime ally, former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.