TUNISIA: Army deployed, 300 arrested as violent unrest persists

More than 300 people have been arrested in Tunisia overnight, as anger over the government’s austerity measures spilled into the streets once more. Police used tear gas against large crowds demonstrating against price rises affecting basic goods. The army was deployed into towns across the country to protect government buildings, which have become targets. PM […]

More than 300 people have been arrested in Tunisia overnight, as anger over the government’s austerity measures spilled into the streets once more.

Police used tear gas against large crowds demonstrating against price rises affecting basic goods. The army was deployed into towns across the country to protect government buildings, which have become targets. PM Youssef Chahed condemned acts of “vandalism” by the protesters, saying they were trying to weaken the state.

Protests have taken place in at least 10 different areas, including the capital, Tunis, in the last few days.

The protests began peacefully last week, but escalated on Monday evening. Wednesday was the third successive night of violence, with almost 600 people arrested in total since the start of the week.