The Yemeni government and Shia Houthi rebels have signed an agreement aimed at ending the political crisis which has gripped the country for weeks.

Under the deal, a new government will be formed and the Houthis and southern separatists will nominate a new prime minister within three days.

It comes hours after the prime minister quit amid clashes between rebels and pro-government forces in the capital.

Scores of people have died and hundreds fled as clashes escalated in Sanaa.

On Sunday, the rebels said they had taken over government headquarters, key ministries and state broadcasters.

As the fighting intensified, Mohammed Basindwa said he would resign in order to clear the way for the agreement between the rebels and President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.

The BBC's Mai Noman in Sanaa says the formation of a new national unity government under a new prime minister was one of the Houthi movement's demands.

BBC