Yemen generals back protestors

Three Yemeni army commanders have defected to the opposition, calling for an end to President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s rule, as army tanks and armoured vehicles deployed in support of thousands protesting in the capital.

It appeared Mr Saleh’s support was eroding from every power base in the nation - his own tribe called on him to step down, he fired his entire cabinet ahead of what one government official said was a planned mass resignation, and his ambassador to the UN and human rights minister quit.