Tunisian Capital Tense as Interim Leader Sworn in
VOA News 15 January 2011
There were reports of gunfire in Tunis Saturday as police and army tanks patrolled city streets still littered with debris from overnight riots and looting.
The Associated Press reports security forces exchanged fire with assailants in front of the Interior Ministry in central Tunis. AP reporters say two people were seen on the ground and it was unclear if they were dead.
Parliamentary Speaker Fouad Mebazza was sworn in as interim president Saturday, a day after President Zine El Abdine Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia.
Mr. Mebazza said he had asked the country's prime minister to form a unity government.
The country's constitutional council said the new leader has 60 days to hold new presidential elections.
Mr. Ben Ali fled the country following weeks of street demonstrations and rioting fueled by anger over a lack of jobs and official corruption. He had served as Tunisia's president for the past 23 years.
Violence is also breaking out at some of the country's prisons. Hospital sources say at least 42 people were killed in a fire set during an escape attempt at a prison in Monastir, in the south. In another escape attempt, at a prison in Mahdia, officials say prison guards opened fire on inmates, killing several.
Activists in Egypt have cheered Mr. Ben Ali's ouster and hope the rebellion will inspire a similar movement challenging Egypt's long-serving president, Hosni Mubarak.
The Egyptian government Saturday affirmed Egypt's support for "the choices of the Tunisian people." The Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying Egypt is confident Tunisians will not allow the country to descend into chaos.
The Cairo-based Arab League issued its own a statement urging Tunisia's political forces to show unity in order to keep the peace.
The African Union Peace and Security Council says it recognizes Parliamentary Speaker Mebazza as Tunisia's interim leader.
And in France, Tunisia's former colonial master, President Nicolas Sarkozy offered to support Tunisia's democratic process.
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