Three people were killed Wednesday in fresh violence in the Yemeni capital, Sana'a, less than 24 hours after pro- and anti-government forces negotiated a cease-fire.

Medical officials say the civilians were killed and at least 16 people were wounded when shelling and gunfire erupted near a protest camp in the capital.

Vice President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi negotiated a cease-fire late Tuesday between government forces and dissident troops. The truce followed three days of clashes that had killed more than 70 people.

The dissident troops are loyal to Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, a top general who defected to the opposition in March.

Yemen's youth-led protest movement stepped up demonstrations last week. Anti-government activists were angered by President Ali Abdullah Saleh's decision to instruct his deputy to negotiate a power-sharing deal. Opponents called the move a delaying tactic to avoid stepping down.

Diplomats and Yemeni politicians have been trying to revive a long-stalled transition plan from the Gulf Cooperation Council which calls for Mr. Saleh to hand over power to a deputy.

Mr. Saleh has agreed to the GCC proposal three times since April. However, in each case, he has backed out before a deal could be signed.

The president remains in Saudi Arabia, where he is recovering from injuries sustained in a June attack on his presidential compound in Sana'a.