Yemen PM resigns amid clashes

• Rebels have taken over govt headquarters, key ministries & state broadcasters
• Scores have died and hundreds have fled their homes in the latest crisis

Sanaa: Yemeni Prime Minister Mohammed Basindwa has resigned amid escalating clashes in the capital between Shia Houthi rebels and pro-government forces, reports say.

The rebels also claim to have taken over government headquarters, key ministries and state broadcasters. Scores have died and hundreds have fled their homes in the latest crisis. The clashes, pitting the rebels against forces loyal to the Sunni Islah party, have cast doubt on a UN-backed truce deal announced on Saturday.

The Houthis, based in Yemen's mountainous north, have been advancing on the capital for weeks, skirmishing with rivals and organising mass protests calling for greater rights. The rebels had been due to sign a power-sharing deal, announced late on Saturday by the United Nations envoy Jamal Benomar. But as the fighting intensified on Sunday, Basindwa said he would resign in order to pave the way for agreement between the rebels and Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.

Shelling and gunfire have been heard across the capital, despite the imposition of an overnight curfew. The latest clashes were centred on a military base in Sanaa, and the Iman university complex, considered to be a stronghold of fighters loyal to Islah.