Protests Force Tunisian President To Set Exit Date

Protests Force Tunisian President To Set Exit Date

Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, has said he would not run again when his term expires in 2014.

In an attempt to defuse the worst unrest of his rule, Ben Ali, who has been president since 1987, also ordered his security forces to stop using firearms against protesters and said prices for sugar, milk and bread would be reduced.

In an emotion laden speech on Thursday evening, Ben Ali announced measures to try to calm the protests.

''I understand the Tunisians, I understand their demands. I am sad about what is happening now after 50 years of service to the country, military service, all the different posts and 23 years of the presidency," he said.

He said that he did not intend to be president for life and would not change the constitution, which states that ''no one over 75 years of age can run for the presidency.''

Ben Ali is 74 and it had been widely expected he would have the document amended to allow him to run for a new term.

He also promised price reductions for some basic foodstuffs as well as a free press.

Violence is spreading

Weeks of violence in the North African country brought more bloodshed and spread to the capital's centre, Tunis .

Reports say two young men were shot dead in clashes with police in Sliman, south of Tunis and at least five people suffered gunshot wounds in clashes with police in the centre of the capital.

The protesters said that they were angry about unemployment, corruption and ‘government repression.'

Officials said that the protests had been hijacked by a minority of violent extremists who wanted to undermine Tunisia .

NAN/Yinka