(CNN) -- Yemen is releasing hundreds of jailed insurgents after the president's directive to free 500 detainees, the country's embassy in Washington announced Thursday.
President Ali Abdul Allah Saleh's move is a critical part of the February peace agreement between the government and the Houthi rebels in northern Yemen, who have fought for years.
Mohammed Albasha, the embassy spokesman, said in a statement that the nation of Qatar brokered the prisoner release, which has been called a "critical component" of the peace agreement. Qatar oversees the cease-fire.
In return for the move, the Houthis will surrender weapons seized during fighting. CNN
