SANAA, Yemen — Yemen’s president will not reconsider his resignation, despite pressure for him to do so by rebels who control the capital and who he says are holding him “at gunpoint,” an official close to him said Saturday.

Representatives from Yemeni political parties met Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi at his home, where the rebels, known as Houthis, continue to hold him under house arrest.

Impoverished Yemen, home to a formidable al-Qaida affiliate, has been leaderless since Hadi resigned last month after the Houthis pressured him for a greater share of power.

The Houthis, who have controlled the capital, Sanaa, since September, and their supporters have been holding a conference in a sports stadium since Friday – saying they seek to organize “a peaceful transfer of power.”

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to reporters, said Hadi was willing to participate in a national dialogue session – provided that it took place outside the rebel-controlled capital.

Later in the day, a U.S. drone strike hit a car in Shabwa province, killing four suspected al-Qaida operatives, Yemeni tribal and security officials said.

Also Saturday, hundreds of anti-Houthi protesters formed a human chain in the city of Dhamar that was broken up by rebels who fired automatic rifles into the air.