Reports from Yemen say that tribesmen loyal to powerful tribal chief Sadeq al-Ahmar have seized public buildings in Sanaa including state news agency Saba amid gun battles with Yemen's security forces. 44 people have been killed in clashes that include 28 tribesmen belonging to Yemeni opposition leader and 16 government soldiers. Reports quoting witnesses and a high-ranking Yemen official say that tribesmen have also occupied the national airline Yemenia building and have tried to storm the interior ministry headquarters.The latest fighting came despite an appeal by President Ali Abdullah Saleh for supporters of the head of powerful Hashid tribal federation, Sadiq al-Ahmar to cease their aggression on security forces. President Ali Abdullah Saleh has said that Yemen would not become a failed state despite fierce clashes. Saleh, who has ruled Yemen for nearly 33 years, said he remained willing in principle to sign a Gulf-brokered deal to end his rule that he backed out earlier.The government accused Ahmar's men of igniting clashes by firing on a school and the headquarters of the state news agency. A statement by opposition groups however accused president Saleh of dragging the country to chaos.Meanwhile Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has called on parties in Yemen to cease hostilities to avoid further bloodshed.