Ben Ali promises new Tunisia polls in 6 months
Source: Agencies |
January 15, 2011, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
TUNISIA'S president announced yesterday he would dismiss his government and call new legislative elections after police fired tear gas at thousands of protesters marching through the capital Tunis to demand his ouster.
Authorities declared a state of emergency and an overnight curfew. Gatherings of more than three people were banned and state television said "arms will be used" if the orders of the security forces are not obeyed.
President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, facing weeks of riots that have posed the toughest challenge to his government in 23 years, promised that the early elections would take place within six months, the official TAP news agency reported. He made no reference, however, to any resignation of his own.
Protesters mobbed Tunis yesterday, fueled by pent-up anger at high unemployment and at a leadership many see as corrupt. Marching through the city, they demanded Ben Ali's resignation and some even climbed onto the roof of the Interior Ministry.
Many shouted "Ben Ali, out!" and "Ben Ali, assassin!" Helmeted police were seen kicking and clubbing unarmed protesters. A few youths were spotted throwing stones at police. The demonstrators were of all ages and from all walks of life.
Thousands of tourists, meanwhile, were evacuated from the North African tourist haven.
The new unrest came just a day after Ben Ali tried to quell the uproar by going on television to promise lower food prices and new freedoms for Tunisians.
Ben Ali, 74, has maintained an iron grip on Tunisia since grabbing power in 1987 in a bloodless coup, repressing any challenges.
He has locked up many opposition figures and clamped down on dissent but has not been able to resolve the country's rising unemployment, officially at nearly 14 percent, but higher for educated youths.
The unrest began after an educated but jobless 26-year-old committed suicide in mid-December when police confiscated the fruits and vegetables he was selling without a permit.
His desperate act hit a nerve, sparked copycat suicides and focused generalized anger against the government into a outright revolt.
Authorities declared a state of emergency and an overnight curfew. Gatherings of more than three people were banned and state television said "arms will be used" if the orders of the security forces are not obeyed.
President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, facing weeks of riots that have posed the toughest challenge to his government in 23 years, promised that the early elections would take place within six months, the official TAP news agency reported. He made no reference, however, to any resignation of his own.
Protesters mobbed Tunis yesterday, fueled by pent-up anger at high unemployment and at a leadership many see as corrupt. Marching through the city, they demanded Ben Ali's resignation and some even climbed onto the roof of the Interior Ministry.
Many shouted "Ben Ali, out!" and "Ben Ali, assassin!" Helmeted police were seen kicking and clubbing unarmed protesters. A few youths were spotted throwing stones at police. The demonstrators were of all ages and from all walks of life.
Thousands of tourists, meanwhile, were evacuated from the North African tourist haven.
The new unrest came just a day after Ben Ali tried to quell the uproar by going on television to promise lower food prices and new freedoms for Tunisians.
Ben Ali, 74, has maintained an iron grip on Tunisia since grabbing power in 1987 in a bloodless coup, repressing any challenges.
He has locked up many opposition figures and clamped down on dissent but has not been able to resolve the country's rising unemployment, officially at nearly 14 percent, but higher for educated youths.
The unrest began after an educated but jobless 26-year-old committed suicide in mid-December when police confiscated the fruits and vegetables he was selling without a permit.
His desperate act hit a nerve, sparked copycat suicides and focused generalized anger against the government into a outright revolt.
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