U.S. government issues travel watch for Tunisia due to 'political and social unrest'

[Ought Six]

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSWAT01480920110113

http://www.npr.org/2011/01/13/132904...lice-escalates

There are battles in the streets with riot police. At least 23 dead so far.

[Samen]

Some EU nations just issued them 2

Tunisia protests: Live bullets fired in central Tunis
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12180738

[Samen]

Tunisia's president has stepped down...
A state of emergency has been declared
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12195025

[Sonny]

Arab League called on Tunisia's political forces "to stand together and unite"

The BBC's Wyre Davies: "There are tanks on virtually every corner in downtown Tunis"


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12198396

[Samen]

Tunisia Riots Inspire Activists In Arab World


The turmoil in Tunisia, still far from played out, is already causing a swell of hope for similar change across the Arab world.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Wor...oss_Arab_World

[Ought Six]

A wave of democracy among the Arab nations; that would be something. Of course, we must remember that when the Palestinians in Gaza got the right to vote, they voted in a government of suicide-bombing terrorists. If Egypt had true democracy, the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood group (which is affiliated with Hamas) would be running the nation.

[Ought Six]

AU Recognizes Tunisia's Speaker as Interim Leader


Peter Heinlein
Voice of America News
15 January 2011

Addis Ababa -- Tunisian speaker of the lower house of parliament, Fouad Mebazaa, takes an oath as interim President of Tunisia, in Tunis, 15 Jan 2011

Africa's highest security body has recognized the speaker of Tunisia's national assembly as interim leader until fresh elections are held. The African Union Peace and Security Council condemned the excessive use of force against demonstrators in Tunis.

Meeting in emergency session Saturday, the 15-member Peace and Security Council expressed concern at ongoing developments in Tunisia, and urged an end to all acts of violence.

AU Peace and Security Director el-Ghassim Wane says the Council indicated its satisfaction with news that Tunisia's Constitutional Court had named the national assembly speaker as interim leader pending elections.

"Yesterday the prime minister announced he was taking charge of the situation on the basis of Article 56," said Wane. "We just learned that the Constitutional Court has decided that they should rather follow Article 57, and we believe, at least the interpretation of counsel is that so far the Tunisians have been acting within the framework of their constitution."

In cases where a leader is ousted without elections, the Peace and Security Council often suspends the country's AU membership. But Wane said in this case, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's ouster was considered legitimate, and no action would be taken.

"No effect, in the sense that the transition was done in accordance with the constitution," added Wane. "The speaker of the national assembly was designated to lead the transition, and that is in line with the relevant provisions of the constitution of Tunisia."

Wane said barring any unforeseen developments, Tunisia would be seated as a member in good standing at the African Union summit later this month in Addis Ababa.

One Peace and Security Council ambassador, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said many members had expressed hope that all African countries would use events in Tunis as a lesson, because in his words, what is happening now in Tunisia is what could happen to other dictators.

The Council statement urged Tunisia's interim leaders to promptly organize elections to elect a successor to President Ben Ali. The authoritarian leader's rule came to an abrupt end Friday when he fled to Saudi Arabia in the face of month-long protests over unemployment and rising food prices.

More than a dozen protestors were reported killed Thursday before Mr. Ben Ali fled, and rioters were reported looting and setting fires on the streets of Tunis Saturday.

[Kassy]

News here says Khadaffi criticised this revolution. He said he still considered Ben Ali Tunisia's legitimate president. What a surprise.

[Sonny]

Currently Tunisia's unemployment for Collage Grads, Males 25%, Females 43%.. Protests started after an unemployed collage grad forced to support himself by selling apples on the street, had his produce confiscated because he lacked a vendors permit, doused himself with petrol and set himself on fire.

• 17 Dec: Man sets himself on fire in Sidi Bouzid over lack of jobs, sparking protests
• 24 Dec: Protester shot dead in central Tunisia
• 28 Dec: Protests spread to Tunis
• 8-10 Jan: Dozens of deaths reported in crackdown on protests
• 12 Jan: Interior minister sacked
• 13 Jan: President Ben Ali promises to step down in 2014
• 14 Jan: Mr Ben Ali dissolves parliament after new mass rally, then steps down and flees

~~~~~~~
Is somewhat Old, but this is still a rathergood discussion about Tunisia's unemployment problems.

Inside Story - Tunisia's unemployment crisis
AlJazeeraEnglish January 02, 2011

You Tube

!

[Ought Six]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...-dictator.html

Arrest warrant issued for former President of Tunisia.
---

http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp...3ee8f670a7.7d1

BIL of ousted President fled to Canada.
---

http://www.thenational.ae/news/world...ment-to-a-boil

Strong anti-French feelings are manifesting in Tunisia.

[Kassy]

Posts relating to Egypt moved here:
http://thisbluemarble.com/showthread.php?t=34447

[Ought Six]

Thanks!

[Samen]

Tunisia police shoot dead at least two at Kef protest


http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12375255

[Ought Six]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12378006

The Tunisian Minster of the Interior suspends the ruling political party and closes their offices.