Troops and riot police have been deployed on the streets of the capital The Tunisian government has imposed a night-time curfew in the capital, Tunis, and surrounding regions.
It comes after violent protests in several districts of the capital, with riot police firing tear gas at demonstrators.
Officials say at least 23 people have died across the country since the unrest began late last year.
The protesters say they are angry about rising food and fuel prices, high unemployment and corruption.
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.
Human rights and trade union activists believe the number of dead to be at least 50.
The interior ministry said the nightly Tunis curfew would begin on Wednesday at 2000 local time (1900 GMT) and end each day at 0600.
Tear gasIt said the action was being taken because of "disturbances, pillaging and attacks against people and property which have occurred in some districts of the city".
The BBC's Adam Mynott, who is in Tunis, says the past 48 hours have seen gangs of youths involved in skirmishes and street battles with police.
More violence broke out on Wednesday afternoon, as protesters threw stones and police responded with volleys of tear gas.
It is the first time in the weeks of unrest that the violence has reached the capital.
As well as sacking Mr Belhaj Kacem, President Ben Ali has ordered the release of some of those already arrested at protests.
But while those moves will be welcome, says our correspondent, many in the country say the fundamental cause of resentment remains: high levels of unemployment, soaring food and fuel inflation and corruption in Tunisia's ruling class.
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