(VOVworld) - The UN special envoy to Yemen, Jamal Benomar, has warned that Yemen may be on the brink of civil war and accused all sides of contributing to 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 in September and sidelining the central government. Addressing the UN Security Council on Thursday, Benomar said: "Yemen is at a crossroads: Either the country will descend into civil war and disintegration" or a political transition will work. Following Benomar's statements, Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, issued a warning before the council saying that "Yemen is collapsing before our eyes" and the international community cannot stand by and watch. The US, Britain and France have closed their embassies in Sanaa, citing security concerns.