Protesters armed with stones stand firm as army opens fire

Three people were killed, according to witnesses and doctors.

The attacks came a day after protesters began a new sit-in on one of the main streets, and as tensions escalate across the country between embattled president Ali Abdullah Saleh and protesters wanting him removed from power.

The security forces opened fire on demonstrators and turned water-cannon and tear-gas on them at dawn, witnesses said.

Field doctor Sadeq al-Shujah said three protesters were killed and dozens wounded.

The security forces also chased protesters into side-streets and buildings, where they took cover. They launched rocket-propelled grenades on an office building where they believed protesters were hiding, said activist Nouh al-Wafi.

The explosion set the building on fire, but there were no reports of casualties there.

One protester, Ghazi al-Samai, said people barricaded themselves in small streets, using stones and rubbish bins to ward off security forces.

Yemen is reeling from nearly three months of protests. In office for more than three decades, Mr Saleh has intensified his crackdown and refused a regional mediation offer.

More than 140 people have reportedly been killed.

The deal for Mr Saleh to step down - negotiated by the Gulf Co-operation Council - appeared close to success a week ago. But the president backed away from it by saying he would have aides sign it, rather than doing so himself.

The resulting deadlock threatens to plunge the nation deeper into disorder.

Yesterday, protesters in the capital Sanaa rallied in the main square. Some called for a march on Mr Saleh's palace, chanting: "No dialogue, the march is the last decision."

However, organisers feared a small protest could be easily quashed by the heavy security around the palace.

Some protesters came with their home telephone numbers written in red on their chests, an indication that they were prepared to die in the protests and wanted to make it easier to have their bodies identified.