U.S. officials met Iran-backed Houthis in Oman over the weekend, sources say

By Timour Azhari, Alexander Cornwell and Gram Slattery Sept 15 (Reuters) - U.S. officials met representatives of Yemen'sHouthis in Oman over the weekend, five sources familiar with the matter said, days after the Iran-backed militia seized a strategic stretch of the Red Sea coast in a sweeping offensive that routed Saudi-backed forces. The meeting, which has not been made public, was held at the U.S. Embassy in Muscat, three of the sources said on the condition of anonymity. Two sources said that Oman's government, a longtime regional mediator, helped organise the meeting.