Live gunfire at Tunisia protest

Protesters in the Ettadhamen suburb of Tunis, Tunisia (12 Jan 2011)Clashes began in the Ettadhamen suburb of Tunis on Wednesday afternoon
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There are reports of further trouble overnight in Tunisia’s capital, Tunis, despite a dusk-to-dawn curfew.

Hundreds of youths took to the streets in various districts in the north of the city, Spanish agency Efe reports.

According to Reuters news agency, witnesses say one man was shot dead in the clashes with the police.

Officials say at least 23 people have died since nationwide unrest began last month over rising food and fuel prices, high unemployment and corruption.

Human rights and trade union activists believe the number of dead to be at least 50.

Witnesses say the man was killed in the Ettadhamen suburb of the city, where another resident told AFP news agency the protest could be heard throughout the night.

Firemen were attempting to put out fires on Thursday morning following the trouble, the agency reports.

Earlier on Wednesday, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali dismissed his interior minister in an attempt to stem the unrest.

Rafik Belhaj Kacem had been responsible for the police force, which many people say has used excessive force against protesters.

Violence in Tunis broke out on Wednesday afternoon, as protesters threw stones and police responded with volleys of tear gas.

It was the first time in weeks of unrest that the violence had reached the capital.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

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