.- The Tunisians on Friday put its flag at half mast and state television broadcast readings from the Koran in memory of the dozens of people killed during protests that led to the ouster of a president for over two decades, ruled with an iron hand . The government declared three days of national mourning from Friday.The Interior Minister said that 78 civilians were killed in protests that lasted nearly a month, many of them because of the shooting in the street demonstrations against unemployment, corruption and repression. A French photographer, and some members of the security forces were also killed during the protests, and many people were injured.
President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled last week to Saudi Arabia, while the provisional government maneuver difficult to restore calm. Several hundred protesters crowded outside the Ministry of Interior and shouted slogans like''! Down with the government!''The site, cordoned off by security forces, has been a stage almost daily the last week for those who believe that the interim cabinet still dominated by someone close to Ben Ali.
The protest at the Ministry of Interior had an almost festive. Many of the members carrying balloons and women wailed. Shahbani Omar, an auditor of 43 years, carrying 15 balloons of different sizes and colors. Suit''the beautiful colors of the Tunisian people,''he said. ''The balloons make people happy and reminds us is the festival that is freedom.'' He said the atmosphere was similar to 1987, when Ben Ali came to power in a bloodless coup.
''I was 23 in 1987 and today I feel like I was 23 again. My youth has become with this revolution, and again I can play with balloons like a child,''said Shahbani. Some protesters took up a sign in English, referring to the president's campaign slogan of''Barack Obama Yes We Can'':''They say that''we''Tunisians''What we say!''
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