Tanks were deployed in Yemen’s capital yesterday as a dangerous split opened between the military leadership after top generals joined the revolt against President Ali Abdullah Saleh’s regime.

As some of his closest military and tribal allies abandoned him, the embattled leader refused to submit to calls for his resignation and claimed he had the support of the vast majority of people in the impoverished country.

“We’re still here... the great majority of the Yemeni people are with security, stability and constitutional law,” he said.

“Those who are calling for chaos, violence, hate and sabotage are only a tiny minority.”

Tanks took up positions in key locations across Sanaa including at the presidential palace, the central bank and the ministry of defence, but it was unclear what their orders were or who was in command.

A statement from the country’s military command late on Monday said it remained loyal to Mr Saleh and would not allow “any attack on democracy and the constitutional order.”

“The armed forces announce that they remain faithful to their oath to the political leadership, directed by President Saleh,” the statement said.

In another blow, Sanaa’s ambassadors to Egypt and the Arab League also defected to join the rapidly growing protest movement. In the first of the day’s body blows to Mr Saleh’s authority, General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, commander of the Northwest Military District which includes Sanaa, announced he had joined the “revolution.”

“The crisis is getting more complicated and it’s pushing the country towards violence and civil war,” he said in a statement.

“According to what I’m feeling, and according to the feelings of my partner commanders and soldiers... I announce our support and our peaceful backing to the youth revolution.

“We are going to fulfil our duties in preserving security and stability.”