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Tunisians wounded in Siliana clashes over unemployment | Tunisians wounded in Siliana clashes over unemployment |
(about 3 hours later) | |
More than 200 people have been wounded in a second day of clashes in the Tunisian town of Siliana, medical officials have said. | |
Security forces used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse protesters demanding jobs, with reports of people also being treated for gunshot wounds. | |
Trade unions have called for further protests on Thursday. | |
Tunisia was the birthplace of the Arab Spring, deposing its long-time president in January 2011. | Tunisia was the birthplace of the Arab Spring, deposing its long-time president in January 2011. |
Hunger strike | Hunger strike |
During a brief television appearance on Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali rejected protesters' calls for him to step down, saying: "This governor is not quitting." | |
The BBC's Sihem Hassaini in the capital, Tunis, says the unrest in Siliana is the latest in a series of protests by people disappointed by the lack of progress following the revolution. | The BBC's Sihem Hassaini in the capital, Tunis, says the unrest in Siliana is the latest in a series of protests by people disappointed by the lack of progress following the revolution. |
Since the uprising which overthrew Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali unemployment has gone up - and according to official figures stands at about 18%. | |
Siliana residents went on strike on Tuesday, angered that the mayor had failed to create jobs. | |
All offices and businesses in Siliana, which is about 120km (75 miles) south of Tunis, remained closed on Wednesday, as protests continued. | All offices and businesses in Siliana, which is about 120km (75 miles) south of Tunis, remained closed on Wednesday, as protests continued. |
According to AFP news agency, several armoured vehicles were deployed as demonstrators blocked roads with barricades and set tyres alight on Wednesday. | |
Trade unions have called for protests to continue on Thursday, it reports. | |
The protestors threw stones and thick clouds of tear gas could be seen over the town centre, our correspondent says. | |
Doctors at Siliana Hospital estimated the number of injured had risen to more than 200 by Wednesday evening. | |
Thirteen serious cases have been transferred to a hospital in Tunis, a medical source told the state-run Tap news agency. | Thirteen serious cases have been transferred to a hospital in Tunis, a medical source told the state-run Tap news agency. |
David Thomson, a journalist for France24 news channel, tweeted from Siliana hospital where he was being treated for a shotgun wound. He said other patients had been admitted for more serious injuries. | David Thomson, a journalist for France24 news channel, tweeted from Siliana hospital where he was being treated for a shotgun wound. He said other patients had been admitted for more serious injuries. |
Our reporter says the MP for Siliana, Iyed Dahmani, has begun a hunger strike, demanding more opportunities for his constituents. | Our reporter says the MP for Siliana, Iyed Dahmani, has begun a hunger strike, demanding more opportunities for his constituents. |
Interior Minister Ali Larayed called for calm during a live television interview broadcast on Wednesday evening. | |
"I ask people in Siliana to calm down, to protest calmly and accept dialogue," he said. |