US withdraws diplomats from Yemen amid clashes

[Gerald]

The US has ordered all its non-essential diplomats and family members of embassy staff to leave Yemen as fighting there escalates.

Medical sources say 72 people have died in three days of clashes between tribal fighters and government troops.

President Ali Abdullah Saleh has again said he will not step down, despite mounting protests.

He has so far refused to sign a transition deal that would see him resign in favour of a unity government.

The US has repeated its call for Mr Saleh to step down, urging all sides to accept a ceasefire.

"We continue to support the departure of President Saleh who has consistently agreed that he would be stepping down from power and then consistently reneged on those agreements," Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told reporters in Paris.

The UK Foreign Office has strongly advised all British nationals to leave Yemen immediately as fighting there escalates.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-13556349


Note: 26 May 2011 Last updated at 12:44 GMT