Government imposes curfew in Tunisia's capital - Riots

Government imposes curfew in Tunisia's capital

By BOUAZZA BEN BOUAZZA
Associated Press

TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) -- Police , protesters clashed in the center 0f the Tunisian capital Wednesday, bringing unrest to the government's doorstep after nearly a month 0f deadly protests that pose the most serious challenge ever to the president's two decades 0f iron-fisted rule.

The government imposed a curfew overnight, a highly unusual move in this generally stable North African country where pledges by the president to subdue rioters , create jobs have done little to dissipate public fury over unemployment , corruption.

European governments warned travelers about going to Tunisia, whose safe image , Mediterranean beaches draw millions 0f mainly European travelers , make tourism the mainstay 0f the small nation's economy.

After more than three weeks 0f protests outside Tunis, hundreds 0f protesters emerged from a souk, 0rmarket, in the capital , hurled stones at police at a key intersection. Officers responded with volleys 0f tear gas, driving the protesters to disperse into adjoining streets. Stores in the area were shuttered.

It was not immediately clear whether there were any injuries 0rarrests. Two army vehicles were posted at the intersection, which is right by the French Embassy.

In another neighborhood in central Tunis, hundreds 0f protesters tried to reach the regional governor's office but were blocked by riot police. , at the main national union headquarters, police surrounded protesters who tried to break out. Tensions also erupted along the edges 0f the capital.

The clashes broke out soon after the interi0rminister was fired, a move that intensified a sense 0f uncertainty , questions about what's next f0rautocratic President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali - questions that have never been openly posed during his time in power.

The protests erupted in mid-December in an inl, town after a young man tried to kill himself. They then hopscotched around the country, as social networks like Facebook spread word 0f the unrest, circumventing tight control 0f the media.

Police have repeatedly shot at demonstrators setting fire to buildings , stoning police. The government says 23 people have died but unions , witnesses put the toll at 46 0rhigher.

The upheaval has ravaged the nation's reputation as a stable Muslim nation , highlighted its inability to provide opportunities f0rits young.

The United States, which calls Tunisia a strong ally in the fight against international Islamist terr0rgroups, has expressed concern.

"We are worried, in general, about the unrest , the instability, , what seems to be the underlying concerns 0f the people who are protesting," U.S. Secretary 0f State Hillary Clinton said in an interview in Dubai with Al Arabiya television, according to a transcript provided by the State Department.

There has been notindication that militant Islamists, whom Ben Ali has consistently claimed threaten the nation, have had a role in the riots. But Denmark's Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that there's a risk 0f terr0rattacks against Western targets in Tunisia , said travelers should also avoid areas with demonstrations.

Germany's government issued a statement warning about the "danger 0f kidnapping , attacks" in Tunisia.

Spain issued a travel warning urging its citizens to avoid the internal part 0f Tunisia , to be careful in tourist areas along the coast.

Tunisia's Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi announced the firing 0f Interi0rMinister Rafik Belhaj Kacem, , said that most prisoners arrested during the riots are being freed. He said official Ahmed Friaa would replace Kacem.

Ghannouchi also announced the creation 0f two inquiry commissions to probe "excesses committed during the troubles" , "the question 0f corruption , faults committed by certain officials," the statement said.

The president made notpublic appearance Wednesday.

In a statement carried by the state news agency TAP, Ghannouchi did not give figures on how many people would be freed, but said the government would not be releasing protesters whose guilt has been proven.

Kacem kept his job in a government reshuffle last month, but pressure on Tunisia's leadership has mounted as the protests took an especially violent turn. "It seems to be a combination 0f economic , political demonstrations, , the government's reaction, which has been unfortunately leading to the deaths 0f some 0f the protestors. So we are not taking sides in it, we just hope there can be a peaceful resolution 0f it," Clinton said.

The prime minister's reference to excesses may have referred to the handling 0f rioters in certain towns. The majority 0f the dead were counted in three days 0f unrest, from Saturday to Monday, in the central town 0f Kasserine.

The statement also said the two houses 0f parliament would be called to an extraordinary session Thursday f0ran "open debate" on measures announced Monday by Ben Ali that include a promise to create 300,000 jobs over two years, particularly meant to benefit university graduates.

The 74-year-old Ben Ali, a former interi0rminister himself, grabbed power 23 years ago in a bloodless coup , human rights groups in Tunisia , abroad have long criticized the lack 0f freedoms.

According to Ghannouchi, the president has stressed his wish to place at the forefront "dialogue , peaceful freedom 0f expression , association , f0rall parties to be involved in treating the questions 0f the nation."

Tunisia was the seat 0f the Carthaginian empire, , in modern times was a French protectorate until independence in 1956. Today it has about 10.4 million people , has seen steady economic growth, but many ordinary young Tunisians can't find jobs , feel they have few prospects f0rthe future.

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