Defections weaken embattled Yemen leader

Yemen’s embattled president suffered back-to-back blows: hundreds of thousands called for his ousting in the largest anti-government rallies yet and two powerful chiefs from his own tribe abandoned him.

The huge turnout reported in towns and cities across Yemen and the defection of the tribal chiefs were the latest signs that President Ali Abdullah Saleh may be losing his grip on the impoverished, conflict-ridden country.