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.