SANAA, Yemen--several top figures from the warring Yemeni President set up their own camp defected opposition party Monday in another blow to the long time ruler who has clung to power despite protests near-daily requirements are deposition and defections by key allies.

Meanwhile, police in a southern port city fired tear gas and live ammunition at thousands of protesters calling for President Ali Abdullah Saleh to step down, 45 people were injured.

Yemen developments underline the precarious situation after two months of massive protests about the lack of freedoms and extreme poverty. Of the country opposition, inspired by the revolts in Egypt and Tunisia, says that nothing less than the Saleh immediate departure would end the unrest.

Yemeni rights groups say the crackdown has more than 120 people were killed, but it did not deter crowds gather.

According to activist Riyadh al-Absi, 45 protesters hurt in violence Monday in the Red Sea port of al-Hudaydah, 12 injured by bullets fired by patrolling police officers. Police used sticks to beat demonstrators who responded by throwing stones, al-Absi said.

In the capital Sanaa, several top figures and legislators--many of them defectors from the ruling Saleh ruling Congress party--set up their own block, titled "justice and building Bloc" and in a statement insisting that Saleh relinquish power.

U.S.-educated Mohammed Abulahoum, who is also a powerful leader of the Bakeel tribe, the second-largest tribe in Yemen, was one of the founding members. Khaled al-Wazeer, who was Transport Minister before he defected, was also one of the founders of the party.

Several women were among them, including Huda al-ban, who resigned last month as human rights Minister. The group said it would seek to "establish a civil society based on democracy, peaceful transfer of power and respect of others."

Saleh of camp is hit by a wave of defections and resignations since late March when shot dead more than 40 demonstrators during a protest in Sanaa security forces. The defectors have important allies also included in the military, powerful tribes, ambassadors, provincial governors and some managers of the State-run media.

As part of the efforts to resolve Yemen unrest, representatives of the opposition talks in the Saudi capital Sunday with the foreign ministers of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council to discuss the proposal of the GCC including Saleh transfer power to his Deputy would.

The proposal of the GCC also offers the President immunity from prosecution, which the opposition has rejected.

A statement issued Sunday night by the ministers said they will meet the representatives of the Government of Yemen after they heard the opposition positions. No date for that meeting.

"The representatives of the opposition have confirmed their desire to the current crisis to save the blood and the interests of the Yemeni people to stop," said the statement.

Security forces opened fire on the demonstrators in the capital on Sunday as protesters the Office of the special forces, led by Saleh neared the son. Witnesses said the forces fired live ammunition and tear gas and water cannons used to disperse the crowd. Security officers chased demonstrators in the side streets, and the protesters said at least 220 people were injured, including 20 people hit by gunfire.

The official SABA news agency said 14 policemen were injured by stones in protests in Sanaa Sunday evening.

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