TUNIS, (Reuters) – Fourteen civilians were killed in clashes with Tunisian police in the past 24 hours, official media and the government said yesterday, in the worst violence in the country for decades.
The latest incidents are the deadliest in a wave of unrest which has lasted nearly a month. People taking part say they are angry at a lack of jobs, but officials say the rioting is the work of a minority of violent extremists intent on damaging Tunisia.
An opposition leader said to avoid more bloodshed President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali should order police to stop using fire arms. Officials said police had only fired in self-defence when violent crowds attacked, ignoring warning shots.
The government earlier issued a statement saying eight people had been killed in clashes in the towns of Thala and Gassrine, both near the border with Algeria, since Saturday night.
Tunisia’s official TAP news agency later said four civilians were killed in clashes in a third town, Rgeb, about 210 km (131 miles) west of the capital, and that a further two people had been killed in Gassrine province.
