Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Tunisia: Protests against the composition of government

The transitional government formed Monday in Tunisia is far from unanimous in the left and the Islamists, but among the population. Tuesday, January 18, several thousand demonstrators took to the streets in Tunis and in the provinces to protest the presence at key positions of ministers of deposed President Ben Ali.

The powerful trade union federation UGTT Tunisia, who played a large role in the events that led to the downfall of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, said she did not recognize the new cabinet. In the capital, a leading Islamist movement Ennhada (forbidden), Sadok Chourou, was leading the rally.

He said: "The new government does not represent the people and must fall. RCD No", the Democratic Constitutional Rally of Ben Ali. Police have urged the protesters to disperse, according to the state of emergency in force which prohibits gatherings, before drawing tear gas. Breaking with the reservoir at a similar event held Monday, the police also used batons.

"RCD assassins," chanted the demonstrators. "One can live only on bread and water, but not with the RCD," they sang. "We reject this criminal government that wants to steal the revolt of our people. We want a government that truly represents the people. We denounce the opposition parties who are now in puppet government, "said one protester.

About 5,000 people also demonstrated in Sfax (Downtown East), the economic metropolis of the country. Tataouine A, about 500 kilometers south of Tunis, demonstrators stormed the local headquarters of the RCD. A demonstration was also attended by "thousands of protesters" in Sidi Bouzid (West Central), which is a party in mid-December revolt popular, while another protest march, which gathered a thousand people stood in Regueb, 37 km from Sidi Bouzid.

Finally, a gathering of 500 people, including gathering of lawyers and trade unionists, was held at Kasserine, another bastion of "Jasmine Revolution".

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