Yemen security forces continue to pound protestors

In the capital Sanaa, forces fired on a crowd of tens of thousands marching to the cabinet building, and the interior ministry said that protesters attempted to "storm the radio (building)".

At least six demonstrators died, and about 100 were wounded, according to a doctor co-ordinating a makeshift clinic for wounded protesters.

"The snipers were shooting at the people," Talal al-Hamadi, a protester, said. "People rushed and some fell over each other. There was a stampede."

In the industrial centre of Taiz, snipers killed two protesters and dozens were injured by gunfire and tear gas.

Demonstrators stormed the police station where gunfire originated, killing one protester, activist Ghazi al-Samai said.

Samai said protesters seized an officer whom they accused of shooting the fatal bullet and handed him over to the prosecutor's office.

He said protesters then started setting tyres on fire in many streets and took control of three government buildings, including the oil ministry.

Residents said the city of 540,000 people was in effect paralysed.

Yemen's economy is struggling as its currency falls against the dollar and the prices of basic necessities continue to rise.

Residents in remote areas are also suffering severe water shortages because fuel rationing has stopped trucks from carrying water shipments they depend on.

Yemen has seen three months of daily protests by demonstrators who are frustrated by Saleh's reluctance to relinquish his power.

In office for more than three decades, Saleh has intensified his crackdown on the protests and refused a regional mediation offer.

More than 140 people are reported to have been killed in the government crackdown on the escalating protests.