Tunisia declares curfew after renewed protests

Tunisia declares curfew after renewed protests

Tunisia's government ordered an overnight curfew on Saturday after three days of forcefully suppressed protests and sacked an influential figure whose comments on a possible coup sparked the demonstrations.

The new troubles in the North African country, where the Arab world's tide of revolutions began, are rooted in fears the interim administration will renege on its commitment to democracy after the ousting of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in January.
"We now need a revolution to follow the revolution," said Abdoulrahim Jalouli, holding up his mobile phone to show pictures of police chasing down youths in the streets near the center of Tunis.
"You see. The police are the same as before. There is no change," he said.
Protesters threw stones at police and set cars ablaze in streets near the center of Tunis. Security forces responded with shots in the air and teargas. Residents said thieves and looters were taking advantage of the chaos in parts of the city.
Defense and interior ministries announced a curfew from 9 p.m. (2000 GMT) to 5 a.m. "in order to ensure the safety of citizens and property," said a statement quoted by the Tunisian Press Agency.
In another sign the government was trying to quell anger, former interior minister Farhat Rajhi was fired from his post as head of the state-sponsored High Commission on Human Rights and Fundamental Liberties, the agency said.
PHOTO CAPTION
Tunisian riot police face protestors in the center of Tunis on May 6, 2011.
Al-Jazeera

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