Troops deploy in Tunis over protests

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/159811.html


Troops have been deployed in the Tunisian capital after fresh clashes between police and demonstrators erupted over unemployment and high costs of living in the North African country.

As the demonstrations spread to the suburbs of Tunis, the Tunisian capital, the government deployed troops across the capital early Wednesday, AFP reported.

Armored vehicles rumbled through the streets of Tunis while troops took positions at major intersections.

The demonstrators, who are angry over unemployment and social security in the country, announced that they will continue their protests across the country for the next three days despite the government's deadly crackdown.

Demonstrations have been going on across Tunisia for almost a month now.

The workers' union has called on Tunisian President Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali to order an independent inquiry into the deaths of demonstrators.

The union has also said it will call a general strike in several southern cities in response to what it calls police brutality.

The workers' union says more than 50 people have been killed in clashes with government forces over the weekend.

The casualties came when unusually violent demonstrations erupted on Saturday to mark a new peak in protests to Tunisia's escalating unemployment and high costs of living which have been going on across the country over the past month.

In a live address on Monday, the Tunisian president promised to create 300,000 new jobs.

Despite the appeasing pledge, all classes were canceled and all campuses closed on Monday to dampen huge rallies by college and high school students around the country.