U.S. Pulls Diplomats from Yemen

BBC News reports:

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 and leave Yemen, 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 state department has also warned Americans against travelling to Yemen.

"The security threat level in Yemen is extremely high due to terrorist activities and civil unrest. There is ongoing civil unrest throughout the country and large-scale protests in major cities, " said the state department in a travel warning.