Yemeni protesters in the capital city of Sana'a (Creative Commons).

Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh dismissed his entire Cabinet and vowed to fashion a new government on Sunday, as a majority of the government's ministers prepared to abandon their posts over recent attacks on demonstrators. 

The announcement came as anti-government protesters in the capital city of Sana'a publically mourned the deaths of more than 45 demonstrators killed by snipers loyal to Saleh's government on Friday.

"It was suspected that his whole Cabinet would resign," said Murad Azzani, a political analyst at Sana'a University. "Those opposing his rule are not likely to accept any kind of concessions from him at this late stage."

Several members of Yemen's government had resigned prior to the decree, including the nation's representative to the U.N., key members of Saleh's own tribe and three members of his Cabinet.

The recent escalation of violence in Yemen is underscored by the use of lethal ammunition by security forces - in addition the rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons - to disperse anti-government rallies.

For more on Friday's violence, click here.