Yemeni government cracks down on protest in south

Security forces opened fire on demonstrators and launched rocket-propelled grenades at an office building yesterday, as they cracked down on a protest in the flashpoint city of Taiz in Yemen's south.

The attacks came a day after protesters began a new sit-in on one of the city's main streets, and as tensions escalate across the country between embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh and protesters calling on him to step down.

Field doctor Sadeq al-Shujah said three protesters were killed and dozens wounded, including six people in critical condition.

More than 140 people have reportedly been killed in the crackdown on the protests, which have escalated over the past three months.