Police fire shots as protestors riot in Tunisia

There is further unrest in Tunisia where protestors are demanding the ruling party of the ousted president give up power.

Security forces have used water cannon, tear gas and fired shots in the air in the capital Tunis where at least a thousand people have gathered.

The country was poised today for the announcement of a new government and hopes of a peaceful fresh start for the nation.

Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi said on state TV that a national unity government will “most certainly” be named today “to open a new page”.

There are three legal opposition parties that could be included in the government Mr Ghannouchi has been directed to form by the interim president, Fouad Mebazaa.

Worries among Tunisians, however, grew with continuing violence and worsening shortages of essentials such as milk, bread and fresh fish.

Major gunbattles erupted yesterday outside the palace of deposed president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in the centre of the capital, in front of the main opposition party headquarters and elsewhere as authorities struggled to restore order.

Police arrested dozens, including the top presidential security chief, as tensions appeared to mount between Tunisians buoyant over Ben Ali’s departure and loyalists in danger of losing major perks.

There were cheers and smiles in much of Tunis, the capital, as residents tore down the massive portraits of Ben Ali, some of them several stories high, that hung from lampposts and billboards and were omnipresent during his 23-year reign.

The presidential palace gun battle in Carthage involved the army and members of the newly appointed presidential guard fighting off attacks from militias loyal to Ben Ali.

Residents of Carthage – a centre of power in ancient times but now a Tunis suburb popular with tourists – said they have barricaded themselves inside their homes amid the shooting. Many soldiers were in the palace, but it was unclear whether any of the interim government’s leaders were.

Other gunfights broke out near the PDP opposition party headquarters and a two-hour-long gunbattle raged behind the Interior Ministry, long feared during Ben Ali’s reign as a torture site.

The security chief, Ali Seriati, and his deputy were charged with a plot against state security, aggressive acts and for “provoking disorder, murder and pillaging,” the state news agency reported.

Dozens of people have died in a month of clashes that were initially between police and protesters angry about repression and corruption but now appear to be between police and Ben Ali loyalists.

Ordinary Tunisians concentrated on two key needs – food and security.

Many scoured the capital for food as calm returned to some residential areas. Most shops remained closed , others were looted and bread and milk were running short.

Overnight citizen patrols armed with bats, sticks and golf clubs were being organised in both wealthy and working-class neighbourhoods.