New clashes between Tunisian police and protesters

[News_Editor]

New clashes between Tunisian police and protesters

2011-02-27 01:49:07 GMT+7 (ICT)

TUNIS (BNO NEWS) -- Security forces in the Tunisian capital fired tear gas on Saturday to disperse hundreds of anti-government demonstrators outside the interior ministry.

Demonstrators continued demanding the resignation of the country's interim prime minister despite violent clashes the day before.

On Friday night, clashes in the capital resulted in the injury of 21 policemen, an authorized source from the Interior Ministry said, as reported by the official Tunis Afrique Presse news agency.

The source added that acts of vandalism caused the burning of one part of the sectoral division of the Police-to-Aid neighbouring the ministry's premises and ransacking of two police stations and several stores. Protesters also set fire to several cars of law enforcement personnel.

Police fired tear gas and warning shots to disperse demonstrators.

Tunisia's acting government has been struggling to contain order in the nation after the ouster of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who was forced to resign last month amid widespread anti-government protests.

The interim government of Mohammed Ghannouchi has promised elections by mid-July.

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