Over A Dozen Killed In Tunisia Protest

Over A Dozen Killed In Tunisia Protest

Not less than 14 civilians have been reportedly killed in clashes with Tunisian police, in a violence described as the worst in the country for decades.

Demonstrators say they are angry at the lack of jobs for young people but, officials say the rioting is the work of a minority of violent extremists.

Tunisia 's Communications Minister, Samir Labidia, said the government would respond to the people's grievances and was ready for a dialogue with young people.

An interior ministry statement said that in Thala and Kasserine, police had fired in self-defence after rioters attacked public buildings.

The protests first broke out in December over a lack of freedom and jobs.

Conflicting casualty figure

Tunisia 's official news agency Tap said five people had died as a result of clashes in the western town of Thala on Saturday night, and five had been killed in nearby Kasserine.

''Several government buildings in Kasserine were attacked by groups who set fire to and destroyed three banks, a police station and a filling station and set fire to a police vehicle,'' the statement said.

Four people were reportedly killed in Regueb, near the central town of Sidi Bouzid .

Protesters say the total number of casualties is higher than officials have admitted.

The leader of the opposition Progressive Democratic Party, Ahmed Najib Chebbi, said he believed at least 20 people had been killed in clashes in the three towns.

Adnan el Ameri, a member of Tunisia 's general labour union and a human rights activist, says the protesters have faced a tough response from the security forces.

"The youth were protesting against their social situation and unemployment... but security forces confronted them with brutality and real bullets. Six people were killed in Kasserine, and eight in Thala."

Call for 'ceasefire'

Mr. Chebbi called on Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to ''call an immediate ceasefire to spare the lives of innocent citizens and respect their right to protest" .

The demonstrations began after a man set fire to himself on 17 December in Sidi Bouzid, to protest against the police confiscating fruit and vegetables that he was selling without a permit.

He died on Tuesday. Another man is reported to have electrocuted himself as part of the protests.

Demonstrations are rare in Tunisia , where there are tight controls aimed at preventing dissent. The unrest has been linked to frustrations with the president and the ruling elite.

Separately, the authorities have released a rap singer, Hamada Ben-Amor, who was held last week in Sfax after recording a song critical of the government.

Reports say the riots in Tunisia appear to have inspired similar violent protests in Algeria over food prices, forcing the government to impose a cut on the price of some basic goods.

BBC/REUTERS/Yinka