Security Forces Use Water Cannon On Tunis Protest
The prime minister was preparing to announce a coalition government following the fall of president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in the face of weeks of violent unrest, but the renewed protests suggested the new line-up might not be popular.
About a thousand people gathered in the capital’s main boulevard in a demonstration against the ruling RCD party, chanting: “Out with the RCD!” and “Out with the party of the dictatorship!”
Monji Amari, one of those demonstrating on Bourguiba Avenue, said: “We are here to say ‘No’. We have had enough of this party of power. We do not want to see them any more. Together with Ben Ali they are responsible for the situation that we are in now.”
Ben Ali’s fall on Friday sent shockwaves through the Arab world, where autocratic leaders preside over similarly repressive governments.
Overnight, shooting could be heard in parts of the city, following clashes between Tunisian special forces and members of the former president’s security detail on Sunday.
A Reuters reporter in the El Omrane suburb of Tunis said shooting could be heard until about 3:00 a.m.
Residents reported seeing people in cars, on motorcycles and on foot firing shots apparently at random and then disappearing. People searched the roofs of their apartment blocks after reports that gunmen were firing on people below.
Speaking on state television late on Sunday, he said, “I call on Tunisians to remain calm. These are difficult moments we are going through. The military and security forces are in the process of ensuring people’s security.
“We are making great efforts for our beloved Tunisia. We ask the people, the residents to continue their support. It is a pleasure to see people like this, all united behind one goal, and everything will be fine, God willing, in the days to come.”
Three opposition leaders would take posts in the new coalition, two sources close to negotiations on building the new government told Reuters. But the interior and foreign ministers in the old administration will keep their jobs.
While die-hard Ben Ali loyalists fought the army at the presidential palace, elsewhere two gunmen on a rooftop near the central bank were killed by fire from a helicopter.
Tanks were stationed around the capital, Tunis, and soldiers guarded public buildings.
FREE ELECTIONS PROMISED
There were long lines outside bakeries in Tunis on Monday morning as people started buying provisions after several days when shops were shut and most people stayed inside their houses.
Traffic was moving around as normal. At Place Pasteur, in the city’s diplomatic quarter, police and military were stopping goods vehicles and checking inside.
Government offices were open for the first time since Thursday, though some employees said they would stay at home because they did not think travelling was safe.
Najib Chebbi, founder of the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), which opposed Ben Ali, will become regional development minister in the new government, the sources close to the negotiations said. Opposition leaders will also get the education and health portfolios.
Ahmed Friaa, a former academic and junior minister appointed interior minister only last week when Ben Ali fired the previous incumbent during the rioting, would stay in his job, they said.
Speaker of parliament Fouad Mebazza, sworn in as interim president, had asked Ghannouchi to form a government of national unity, and constitutional authorities said a presidential election should be held within 60 days.
Opposition parties wanted assurances that presidential elections would be free, that they would have enough time to campaign, that the country would move towards greater democracy and that the power of the ruling RCD party would be loosened.
There were long lines outside bakeries in Tunis on Monday morning as people started buying provisions after several days when shops were shut and most people stayed inside their houses.
Traffic was moving around as normal. At Place Pasteur, in the city’s diplomatic quarter, police and military were stopping goods vehicles and checking inside.
Government offices were open for the first time since Thursday, though some employees said they would stay at home because they did not think travelling was safe.
Tunisia’s crisis has also raised fears for the economies of neighbouring countries. The cost of insuring debt issued by north African nations against default rose sharply on Monday. Reuters