In Yemen, reports quoting medics and witnesses on Thursday say that 12 people were killed and several others injured when Security forces fired bullets at crowds of thousands calling for the ouster of President Ali Abdullah Saleh. At the main demonstration in the capital Sana Wednesday, security forces used force to disperse protesters marching from Sanaa University towards the government headquarters. There were also reports of crackdown by security forces in the southern city of Taez, and town of Dhamar and the city of Hudayda. The latest escalation came after neighbouring Gulf states urged all sides in Yemen to sign up to a transition plan aimed at ending the political bloodshed, by which Saleh would quit office in 30 days. Saleh has stalled the deal by refusing to sign in his capacity as a president. The GCC plan proposes the formation of a government of national unity, Saleh transferring power to his vice president and resigning after 30 days, Reports say that around 170 people have been killed in anti-government protests since late January.