Hundreds held in Tunisia demo

TUNISIAN police have arrested 328 people and fired tear gas as protesters hurled rocks and burned tyres during further nationwide demonstrations over price rises.

The protests late on Wednesday in multiple towns appeared less violent than previous nights as heavy security was deployed at key sites.

Interior Ministry spokesman Khalifa Chibani said that those arrested are accused of destroying property, looting and theft.

Speaking on Mosaique radio, he said 21 officers were wounded in the latest skirmishes.

He did not give estimates of the number of injured protesters.

The government has defended the price rises as essential to improving the economy.