The demonstrators fire Yemeni security forces. 3 dead

SANA'A, Yemen - Yemeni security opened fire on demonstrators and launched rockets at a building on Monday as they have happened against a protest in the city of Taiz flashpoint in the South of the country. Three people were killed, witnesses and medics said.

The attacks came a day after demonstrators began a sit-in on one of the main streets of the city, and that tensions escalate across the country between Embattled President Ali Abdullah Saleh and demonstrators seeking his eviction.

Security forces opened fire on demonstrators and shot guns in water and tear gas on them at dawn, witnesses said.

Field doctor Sadeq al-Shujah, said three demonstrators were killed and dozens injured, including six people in a State critical.

Security forces also chased demonstrators into side streets and buildings where they took cover. They launched rockets into an office building where they believed that the demonstrators were hidden, said activist Nouh al-Wafi.

The explosion set fire to the building, but there was no case of loss, al-Wafi said.

One protester, Ghazi al-Samai, said people themselves barricaded in the small streets with rocks and garbage cans to push the security forces.

Yemen is shaken by three months of protests demanding the eviction of the Saleh. In position for more than three decades, Saleh has intensified its crackdown on the protests and refused an offer of regional mediation.

More than 140 people were reportedly killed in the Government's crackdown on the protests to intensifies.

The Pact negotiated by the Gulf Cooperation Council - to resign - Saleh appeared close to success a week ago. But the President backed away from her last weekend saying that he would aid sign rather than himself so. The deadlock that threatens to plunge already unstable nation deeper into turmoil.

Also Monday, protesters, Sana'a, the capital rallied in the main square. Some called for a March on the Palace of Saleh, chanting: "without dialogue, walking is the final decision."

Organizers were considering the decision but feared that a small protest can be easily set aside by the heavy security around the Palace.

Some demonstrators came with their residential numbers written in red on the chest, an indication that they were ready to die in protests and wanted to make it easier to have their bodies identified.