Tunisia unrest leaves 66 dead

Tunisian soldiers and riot police are seen in Cite Ettadhamen near the capital Tunis on January 12, 2011.

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/159982.html


A wave of violent clashes between Tunisian security forces and anti-government protesters has so far led to the death of at least 66 demonstrators.

The head of Paris-based International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH) Souhayr Belhassen told AFP on Thursday that protests between youths and police forces in the suburbs of capital Tunis claimed the lives of eight people overnight.

He also described the massive crackdown ordered by the Tunisian government to quash widespread demonstrations as an "ongoing massacre."

Meanwhile, the French Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that one of the victims killed in the central Tunisian town of Douz during Wednesday clashes was a dual French-Tunisian citizen.

"We are continuing to investigate to confirm this fact, and his death,” Radio France Internationale cited the ministry.

Switzerland also said one of its citizens who has also Tunisian nationality was killed in Wednesday clashes in the north of Tunisia, Dar Chaabane.

"The Foreign Affairs Department (DFAE) confirms the death of a citizen with double-nationality in Tunisia. The embassy of Switzerland in Tunis as well as central services are in contact with her close ones," the ministry said in a statement to AFP.

In a live address on Monday, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali promised to create 300,000 new jobs.

On Wednesday, Tunisian president dismissed Interior Minister Rafik Belhaj Kacem in an attempt to quell weeks of deadly protests across the North African country.

He also ordered the release of most prisoners detained since mid-December riots.

Armored vehicles rumbled through Tunis on Thursday and troops took up positions at major intersections. Security is tight in the capital as a curfew is in effect.

Riots and protests broke out in Tunisia following the self-immolation of a 26-year-old fruit vendor, identified as Muhammad Bouazizi, who set himself on fire after police confiscated his merchandise.