Yemeni PM sacked

SANAA - President Saleh last night sacked the Prime Minister, Haidar Abu Bakr al-Attas, and named a new defence minister in further measures against southern members in Yemen's cabinet, Reuter reports.

A decree issued by the President said Mr Attas, an official in the southern party, and Mr al-Beidh, the former vice-president, would be 'referred to investigation'. Mr Saleh named the Industry Minister, Mohammad al-Attar, as Acting Prime Minister and Brigadier Abed Rabu Hadi as Defence Minister.