State media in Yemen announced a ceasefire on Tuesday between forces loyal to President Ali Abdullah Saleh and opposition forces fighting for breakaway General Ali Mohsin al-Ahmar.

But the 3pm deadline came and went and violence was reported to have continued in the capital Sanaa and Yemen's second-largest city, Taez, where as many as 15 people may have died.

Saleh also reportedly summoned the US ambassador to say he would agree to a deal whereby he would resign, but he has made such promises before.

Al Jazeera's Nadim Baba reports.