No Israel ties in Tunisia reform pact

A file photo of anti-government street protests in Tunisia

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/187145.html

Tunisia's High Commission for Political Reforms and Democratic Transition says it has adopted a 'pact of reforms' that prohibits normalization of relations with Israel.

Yadh Ben Achour, the president of the commission announced the adoption of the agreement without giving further details on its contents, AFP reported on Friday.

The pact will provide the basis for a new constitution in the North African country.

The document also states that Tunisia is a democratic country, its language is Arabic and its religion is Islam.

It further says that Tunisia supports the Palestinian cause on top of refusing ties with Israel.

Tunisians are expected to elect an assembly in October to draft a new constitution.

At least 147 people were killed and 510 left injured during the Tunisian 'Jasmine Revolution' that unseated Ben Ali in January after a 23-year-long authoritarian rule, according to the United Nations.

On January 14, Ben Ali fled the North African country to the Saudi port city of Jeddah. There are unconfirmed claims that the deposed Tunisian dictator has gone into a coma in Saudi Arabia after suffering a stroke.

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.

Tunis court sentences Ben Ali to 35 yrs

Tunisia's ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and his wife Leila Trabelsi

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/185571.html

A court in Tunisia has sentenced ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and his wife to 35 years in prison after finding them guilty of embezzlement and other charges.

The conviction in absentia of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali and Leila Trabelsi came after a day-long trial before the Tunis criminal court.

The couple fled to Saudi Arabia on January 14 after a month-long revolution that sparked a string of other uprisings in the Arab world.

Ben Ali has denied the charges against him and says his departure was part of the plot against him. He said on Monday he had been deceived into leaving the country and denied giving orders for security forces to shoot at protesters demanding that he step down.

A statement issued by his lawyers at the Tunisian court where he was tried in absentia said he had agreed to take a plane to Saudi Arabia to bring his family to safety and had planned to return immediately. The statement added that the aircraft left Saudi Arabia without him after the crew ignored his instructions.

The couple will also have to pay more than $65 million in fines.

The verdict on other charges, including illegal possession of drugs and weapons, will be pronounced on June 30.

Ben Ali is also due to face a separate trial in a military court on charges of manslaughter and conspiracy against the state.

Ben Ali trial begins in Tunisia

Tunisian ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/179987.html

A military court in Tunisia has begun the trial of ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, his wife Leila Trabelsi and his Interior Minister Rafik Belhadj Kazem.

The three are accused of plotting against national security as well as inflaming riots and looting in Tunisia, Xinhua reported.

The Tunisian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Saturday that the former head of the police intervention units, the former director of public security, and the previous chief of special services were also arrested for their involvement in the case.

Ben Ali is said to have ordered troops to open fire on peaceful protesters.

Tunisian authorities had earlier prepared 18 legal cases against the deposed president. The cases include voluntary manslaughter and drug trafficking.

Ben Ali and his family fled to Saudi Arabia on January 15 when protests, triggered by economic issues, escalated into mass demonstrations that eventually put an end to his 23-year-long authoritarian rule.

On May 11, a court handed over the file of the former president to the Tunisian military tribunal, in accordance with the current legislation.

Tunisian police attack protesters

Hundreds of Tunisian protesters hold an anti-government rally in central Tunis on Friday

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/178582.html

Tunisian Police have attacked hundreds of anti-government protesters in a second day of mass protests in the capital, killing at least one person and wounding several others.

Police have used teargas to break up a demonstration demanding the resignation of the entire government, a Press TV correspondent reported.

Sources say several cameramen were also hit in the demonstrations in central Tunis.

Friday's protests come after a former interior minister warned that loyalists of the ousted president would mount a coup if what he called “Islamists” win the ballot in an election set for July 23.

The protest is the second of its kind since the popular revolution that ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia as the Tunisian Revolution was gaining momentum.

Ben Ali's 23 years of dictatorship, which was marred by repeated human rights violations and torture, ended in mid-January after weeks of street protests.

The demonstrators are opposed to the new government as it still includes figures from the ousted regime.

The developments come days after ousted president and his wife were charged with plotting against the internal security of the state.

The justice ministry said the charges pressed against Ben Ali and Leila Trabelsi also include inciting disorder, murders and looting. The ex-president also faces over 18 other lawsuits.

Tunisia prime minister resigns

Mohammed Ghannouchi announces his resignation on state television, a month after president Ben Ali flees the country


Rallies calling for a new leadership in Tunisia have continued even after the departure of President Ben Ali [AFP]

Source: Al Jazeera
http://english.aljazeera.net/news/africa/2011/02/201122715234442377.html

Mohammed Ghannouchi, the Tunisian interim prime minister, has announced his resignation on state television.

"I have decided to quit as prime minister," Ghannouchi told a news conference, saying that he thought carefully before taking the decision which was supported by his family.

Ghannouchi has been leading the country since president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali left the country on January 14 following a popular uprising in January.

Ghannouchi was a longtime ally of Ben Ali, and had pledged to guide the country until elections can be held this summer.

Demonstrations have again erupted in the North African country in recent days, and three people were killed in clashes between demonstrators and security forces in Tunis, the capital, on Saturday.

"Three people died from the dozen who were wounded during clashes and were transferred to hospital for treatment," the interior ministry said in a statement..

"Several members of the security forces were wounded to different degrees."

Ben Ali loyalists

Security forces had fired warning shots and tear gas at the anti-government demonstration, and protesters responded by hurling stones, journalists from the AFP news agency said.

An interior ministry official, who declined to be named, told the Reuters news agency that the deaths had occurred after a riot orchestrated by loyalists of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, the ousted president.

"Those who were arrested have admitted they were pushed by former Ben Ali officials," he said. "Others said they were paid to do it."

On Friday, tens of thousands of protesters had taken to the streets demanding the resignation of Ghannouchi.

The interior ministry statement said more than 100 people were arrested on Saturday and 88 people had been arrested on Friday.

It blamed the clashes on "agitators" who it said had infiltrated the peaceful demonstrations.

They had used students "as human shields to carry out violent acts, fires aimed at sowing terror among the people and targeting the internal security forces," the statement said.

Ghannouchi announced on Friday that the government will hold elections by mid-July

Tunisian army vows to protect revolution

Protesters demonstrate outside Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi's office in Tunis on January 24, 2011

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/161754.html


The head of Tunisia's armed forces Rachid Ammar has pledged to safeguard the country's historic revolution against any possible deviations.

Ammar made the pledge to a crowd of anti-government protesters in the capital Tunis on Monday.

"The national army is the guarantor of the revolution. The army has protected and protects the people and the country," Ammar said.

The remarks come as police clashed with protesters camping outside the office of interim Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannoushi the premier's office, calling on the government to resign.

Protesters demand that the allies of ousted president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali resign from the interim cabinet.

Meanwhile, Tunisian police have put Ben Ali's former interior minister and his advisor under house arrest. They also raided a TV station, arresting its owner on charges of treason and working for Ben Ali's return.

This comes as Tunisian schoolchildren returned to classes for the first time since the protests toppled the government ten days ago. Universities will also reopen on Wednesday.

Ben Ali's 23-year of dictatorship, which was marred by repeated human rights violations and torture, ended earlier this month after weeks of street protests.

ElBaradei warns of revolution in Egypt

Former IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/161481.html


Egyptian opposition figure Mohamed ElBaradei has warned of a "Tunisia-style explosion" in his country as the nation gears-up for massive protests.

"If the Tunisians have done it, Egyptians should get there too," the former director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency said in an interview with the German weekly Der Spiegel to be published on Monday.

He said discontent in Egypt arises from "fundamental needs," adding that an uprising led by the poor is probable.

ElBaradei urged Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak not to seek another term in office when his mandate expires in September and urged him to lift the state of emergency and call free elections.

Members of Mubarak's camp have said he will run for president again. The Egyptian leader has been in power since 1981.

ElBaradei's remarks came at a time when an unemployed Egyptian man died in the Mediterranean city of Alexandria after setting himself on fire, reportedly to protest rampant joblessness in the country.

Ahmed Hashem Al Sayed, 25, died in the hospital on Tuesday for burns he suffered after setting himself ablaze on the roof of his house in a second suicide attempt.

On Tuesday, two other Egyptian men that were inspired by events in Tunisia attempted to set themselves on fire in downtown Cairo.

Earlier on Saturday, hundreds of Egyptians gathered outside the Tunisian Embassy in Cairo to show their solidarity with Tunisians and called for protests similar to those in Tunisia.

Self-immolation attempts have spread across North African countries after an attempt by an unemployed Tunisian man to set himself on fire sparked an uprising that ended the 23-year rule of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

3 protesters killed in clashes in Tirana Albania

Three people were killed during clashes between police and protesters in Tirana on Friday

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/161326.html


Albania's riot police have killed three people during clashes with at least 20,000 opposition supporters outside Prime Minister Sali Berisha's office in Tirana.

On Friday, state health officials confirmed that three of the protesters were shot dead, the BBC reported.

One victim was shot in the head and the other two died due to gunshots wounds to the chest.

Supporters of the opposition Socialist party held the demonstration to protest against corruption and electoral fraud, Reuters reported.

The Socialist party has rejected the results of the 2009 parliamentary election, which Berisha's Democratic party officially won, and is calling for new elections.

The clashes came in the wake of the resignation of Deputy Prime Minister Ilir Meta on January 14, 2011. He also resigned from his other posts as minister of economy and leader of the Socialist Movement for Integration.

“I resigned because in order to face justice it's very important that I forfeit my government duties in order to appear before prosecutors as a regular citizen,” Meta said at a press conference after he presented his resignation to Prime Minister Sali Berisha.

The clashes broke out when some protesters were separated from the main crowd, started to throw stones and set police cars on fire. The riot police immediately responded with tear gas, plastic bullets, and water cannons.

There have been no reports yet on how many individuals were arrested during the unrest.

President Bamir Topi and opposition leader Edi Rama asked the demonstrators to “calm down for the time being.”

“We shall continue our struggle in a determined way, because the way out is clear -- either a free Albania for all, or keep the people subdued under the boot of barbaric power,” Rama added.

Tunisia to lift political party ban

Tunisia's interim cabinet held its first meeting on Thursday.

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/161167.html


Tunisia's interim government says it will recognize all banned political groups a week after a revolution ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

The announcement comes after the new cabinet held its first meeting on Thursday. The cabinet meeting had been postponed amid opposition calls not to give key posts to members of Ben Ali's Constitutional Democratic Rally party.

Meanwhile, protests have continued with demonstrators demanding the exclusion of Bin Ali associates from the future administration.

Tunisian army fired warning shots in capital Tunis as angry protesters tore down signs from the ruling party's headquarters on Thursday.

The troops were trying to disperse hundreds of demonstrators who surrounded the buildings.

The army has deployed troops in the streets of the capital to prevent violence. Tension remains high despite the presence of troops across the capital city.

Ben Ali's 23-year of dictatorship, which was marred by repeated human rights violations and torture, ended earlier this month after weeks of street protests.

The new unity government aims to prepare Tunisia for new elections.

Iran warns West of meddling in Tunisia

Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addresses crowds of people in the central Iranian city of Yazd, January 19, 2011

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/160878.html


Iran's President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has warned the United States, Israel and some Western states not to interfere in Tunisia and Lebanon's internal affairs.

Addressing crowds of people in the central Iranian city of Yazd on Wednesday, President Ahmadinejad emphasized that Western countries aim to deprive the Tunisians of their rights through psychological warfare.

Massive riots and protests have rocked Tunisia this past month. The Riots 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.

President Ahmadinejad urged Tunisian politicians to exercise vigilance in face of foreign interference and pay due attention to the needs and choices of their people, adding that Tunisians want an Islamic government.

Elsewhere in his speech, the Iranian president slammed the Western-backed UN tribunal investigating the assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri.

President Ahmadinejad called on the US and its European allies to stop meddling in Lebanon, which he said is at a critical juncture.

Lebanon is in a political standoff after Prime Minister Saad Hariri's government collapsed on Wednesday when 11 Hezbollah-affiliated ministers resigned in a dispute over the US-backed Special Tribunal for Lebanon (STL), probing the assassination of former Lebanese Premier Rafiq Hariri in 2005.

The US-sponsored tribunal is reportedly about to indict some Hezbollah members in the Hariri murder case -- an allegation which has been vehemently rejected by the Lebanese resistance movement.

The Iranian chief executive also called for the promotion of unity among all Lebanese factions.

Pointing to the "Iranian nation's achievements" over the past 32 years, the Iranian president said," Today the Iranian nation is shining in the world and has brought its enemies to their knees."

Anti-government protests continue in Tunis

In recent days, thousands have protested across Tunisia to call for ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's Constitutional Democratic Rally (RCD) party to be shut out of the government

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/160893.html


Hundreds of Tunisian demonstrators have taken to the streets of the capital city of Tunis, protesting the continued presence of the ousted president's party on the political scene.

Protesters marched down the main street of Tunisia's capital on Wednesday, calling for the expulsion of the ousted President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali's allies from the transitional government.

The demonstrators sang nationalist songs and held up signs, which read, "RCD Out!'', referring to the former ruling party, the Associated Press reported on Wednesday.

The fresh protests come as the new unity cabinet is scheduled to meet on Thursday.

The meeting will be the first gathering of the cabinet since the removal of Ben Ali from office on January 14.

Amid widespread public dissatisfaction with the new cabinet line-up, four of Ben Ali's opponents have already quit the new government in protest against the continued domination of his party. Three of the four ministers were from Tunisia's main trade union. Their decision came after the General Union of Tunisian Workers (UGTT) refused to recognize the country's new leadership.

Opposition ministers want to see all members of the former government dismissed.

In recent days, thousands have protested across Tunisia to call for Ben Ali's Constitutional Democratic Rally (RCD) party to be shut out of the government as the country's security forces tried to disperse the protest.

Police and security forces used water cannon and fired shots into the air to disperse the demonstrators.

Tunisian president, PM quit RCD

Tunisia's interim President Fouad Mebazaa (L) and Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi have resigned from the former president's RCD party.

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/160832.html

Tunisian interim President Fouad Mebazaa and Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi have resigned from the ruling party of ousted leader Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

They quit Tunisia's ruling Constitutional Democratic Rally party (RCD) on Tuesday as protests over the inclusion of RCD members in the new government came to a peak, CNN reported.

The RCD says it has expelled Ben Ali and six of his associates from the party.

Four ministers of the prime minister's one-day-old coalition have already left the new government amid widespread public displeasure at the new cabinet lineup.

The two top officials' resignation from the RCD was apparently intended to calm the outraged demonstrators who took to the streets of Tunis earlier on Tuesday, calling for the old administration to be swept from power.

The unity government that was formed on Monday included opposition members and members of Ben Ali's party, but the protesters are demanding that backers of the ousted president be kicked out of the new governing team.

"No leftovers from the old regime!" protesters chanted.

Riot police clashed with the protesters and fired tear gas to break up the demonstrations.

The General Union of Tunisian Workers has also refused to recognize the new government. The union stated that the presence of members of the toppled president's cabinet makes the unity government a “masquerade” still dominated by Ben Ali's supporters.

In addition, the Tunisian Islamic Party Ennahdha has announced that it plans to boycott the presidential election scheduled to be held in six months.

Ben Ali's 23-year rule ended after weeks of street protests culminated in the victory of the popular revolution. His era was marred by numerous human rights violations and acts of torture.

Tunisian police, protesters clash amid power shift

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/160831.html

The demonstrations started peacefully enough. But perhaps trigger happy - or just panicked - the Tunisian police were quick to respond when a few protesters ran in front of their lines.

Within seconds, police fired tear gas canisters. The thick acrid vapour dispersed quickly covering a wide area. Victims soon found their eyes, noses and throats stinging.

After the first skirmish on Tunis's iconic Bourgiba Avenue the police briefly allowed this rally a few hundred yards further up to take place. The protesters called for former ministers of the Zine Ben Ali regime to be removed from the new interim Government of Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi.

Then a political bombshell. Three members of the new interim coalition Government quit on their first day on the job. They belong to the General Workers Union, opposed to inclusion of former ministers from the Ben Ali regime.

One of their spokesmen said simply: 'This is in response to the demands of people on the streets.

Prime Minister Mohamed Ghanouchi had earlier defended the inclusion of the former ministers. He said they had 'clean hands' and 'had always served to protect the national interest.

Meanwhile the unrest was spreading to side streets. At this stage, a simple standoff. Minutes later police reinforcements arrive - and then break up another admittedly noisy but still largely peaceful gathering.

And in a separate move, the Government said it would not allow the exiled Nahda party leader Rachid Ghannmouchi - who's no relation of the Prime Minister - to return home.

Tunisian exiled leader to return home

Former Tunisian president Zine El Abidin Ben Ali

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/160381.html


The exiled head of the main Tunisian opposition party says he plans to return home after the departure of the ousted ruler Zine El Abidin Ben Ali.

Rached Ghannouchi, leader of Tunisia's Ennahda political party, said on Saturday that he would return home within the next few days from exile in London.

"I am going to go back very soon," Reuters quoted Ghannouchi as saying in a telephone interview.

"I haven't decided when yet, but possibly in the days to come," he went on to say.

"The reasons that forced me to leave do not exist anymore. The dictatorship has fallen ... There is nothing to stop me [from] returning to my country after 22 years of exile," he added.

Ben Ali left the country over increasing public discontent on Friday after sacking his cabinet members and commissioning Tunisian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi to form a new government.

Angry protesters have rallied in the country since last month, opposing the nation's political system and calling for broad reforms and changes in governing institutions.

The opposition and rights groups say scores of people have been killed in clashes with police since the start of the unrests last month.

In the wake of the unexpected ouster of Ben Ali, a new wave of protests and turmoil has swept across the capital, Tunis.

Tunisia's Constitutional Council says the presidential election must be held within 60 days, after placing the country's Parliament speaker Fouad Mebazza in power.

The council, Tunisia's highest legal authority on Constitutional issues, decided to formally oust Ben Ali and put Mebazaa in charge based on Article 57 of the Constitution.

Tunisian airports were reopened after Ben Ali fled to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia.

Ben Ali ruled Tunisia for more than two decades. His era was marred by repeated human rights violations and torture.

Tunisia to hold polls in 60 days

Troops have sealed off central Tunis, the Capital of Tunisia

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/160267.html


Tunisia's constitutional council says the presidential election must be held within 60 days, after placing the country's Parliament speaker in power.

The council, Tunisia's highest legal authority on constitutional issues, decided to formally oust president Zine El Abidin Ben Ali and put Speaker Fouad Mebazaa in charge based on Article 57 of the Constitution.

Premier Mohammad Ghannouchi had earlier taken over from Ben Ali.

Tunisian airports were reopened after Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia.

Ben Ali ruled Tunisia for more than two decades. His era was marred by repeated human rights violations and torture.

Meanwhile, unrest continues in the capital Tunis where the central railway station and a market were set on fire. Witnesses have reported lootings in shopping centers.

Police have arrested several people in central Tunis during the overnight curfew.

Analysts believe the ouster of the Tunisian president is a warning to authoritarian regimes across the Arab world.

In an interview with Press TV, Clovis Maksoud, Lebanon's former ambassador and permanent observer of the League of Arab States in the United Nations described the Tunisian uprising as a wake-up call for the Arab world.

"It's going to be infectious in several other areas in a manner that might not necessarily lead to bloodshed but [could] weaken the authority [in many Arab countries]," Maksoud told Press TV.

Meanwhile in another development in the country, reports also say that at least 42 inmates have been killed in an inferno at a jail in the Tunisian resort town of Monastir.

"The whole prison is on fire, the furniture, mattresses, everything," Reuters quoted one witness as saying.

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.

Forces, tanks stream to capital Tunis

Source: Press TV
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/159931.html

Security forces and tanks have streamed to Tunisia's capital city, Tunis, as authorities try to quell mounting anti-government protests.

Security is tight in Tunisia's capital on Thursday, a day after clashes broke out between protesters and the police, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Heavy troop presence has been reported in Tunis and security forces have been taking up positions at major intersections in the city.

Eleven people were reportedly killed in clashes across Tunisia on Wednesday.

This comes shortly after a night-time curfew was imposed by the government on Wednesday.

Demonstrators have been protesting unemployment and rising food prices for almost a month.

International observers say security forces have killed more than 50 people in demonstrations in a western town over the weekend.

The government of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali sacked Interior Minister Rafik Belhaj Kacem on Wednesday and said he would investigate allegations of police's use of excessive force.

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.

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.