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Monday, 10 January 2011

Fresh clashes in Tunisia, another death

10 January 2011 - 16H35

Protesters stage a solidarity rally in the Tunisian capital of Tunis. The European Union has led international condemnation of Tunisia's weekend crackdown on a wave of food protests which killed 14 people, and urged Tunis to restrain its security forces.
Protesters stage a solidarity rally in the Tunisian capital of Tunis. The European Union has led international condemnation of Tunisia's weekend crackdown on a wave of food protests which killed 14 people, and urged Tunis to restrain its security forces.

AFP - New clashes between protesters and security forces erupted in Tunisia Monday, as a workers' union said one of its members died in hospital after being shot in weekend protests over costs and jobs.

The fresh disturbances in Kasserine, Thala and Regueb follow weekend unrest that authorities said left 14 dead. The opposition said at least 20 were killed in the violence, the deadliest since protests erupted mid-December.

Security forces fired tear gas on Monday at protesters in Kasserine, 290 kilometres (180 miles) south of the capital Tunis, said Sadok Mahmoudi from the regional branch of the UGTT workers union.

Union member Abdelbasset Kasmi died in the town's hospital early Monday after being shot in clashes on Sunday, he said. A "great number" of people were being treated in the hospital, which was put under the army's control, he said.

In the central city of Regueb police dispersed protesters who gathered as five people who died in the weekend's violence were being buried, an AFP reporter said.

Police fired rubber bullets to disperse demonstrators in the western city of Thala, union sources said.

Security was also high in the capital Tunis, where police anti-riot vehicles were stationed in the city centre and new protests were expected.

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