OVER 600 ARRESTED IN TUNISIA

Sometimes violent demonstrations since Monday have left dozens injured

TUNIS people in the northern town of Siliana hurled rocks and Molotov cocktails at security forces, who responded with tear gas, said an AFP correspondent.

Police detained 328 people on Wednesday for theft, looting, arson and blocking roads, the interior ministry said on Thursday, after arresting more than 280 people over the previous two days.

Ministry spokesman Khalifa Chibani said the violence was less intense than in previous days.

Twenty-one members of the security forces were injured, according to Chibani, who said no civilians were hurt.

AFP correspondents said most areas were calm late Thursday, and the presidency said the main political parties, unions and business organisations will meet on Saturday to discuss the situation.

Tunisia is often seen as having had a relatively smooth transition since the 2011 uprising that toppled long-time dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

But Tunisians have expressed frustration since the start of the year over austerity measures expected to further increase prices in a struggling economy.

The country has introduced hikes in value-added tax and social contributions as part of a tough new budget.

Activists campaigning against the austerity measures called for a huge protest yesterday.

Political scientist Olfa Lamloum called the measures “the straw that breaks the camel’s back.”

“Young people are disappointed with the revolution, especially because of the high cost of living,” she said.

Lamloum pointed to “deepening social inequalities” highlighted by official figures showing rising poverty, unemployment and illiteracy, particularly among young people.

The unrest started with peaceful protests last week, but escalated into clashes with police overnight Monday to Tuesday.

Unrest hit several areas including the central city of Kasserine, and Siliana, Tebourba and Thala in the north.

Scuffles also broke out in some Tunis neighbourhoods.

Conflict analysts International Crisis Group (ICG) warned the country’s political class Thursday against succumbing to “authoritarian temptation.”

While politicians had so far resisted the urge to backtrack on reforms, said the ICG “in the context of an economic slump, the nostalgia for a strong state, like the one that the former regime claimed to defend, is spreading.” AFP