Thousands have taken to the streets today in downtown Tunis, the Tunisian capital against President Ben Ali, who yesterday tried, apparently without much success, to appease the revolt against his regime and in pursuit of greater freedom and democracy . The president, in his second speech popular in 23 years, announced he will not seek re-election in 2014 for a sixth term, which guarantees freedom of the press and no censorship.The withdrawal of the president, which was followed by an evening of popular celebrations despite the curfew imposed on Wednesday, has not served to prevent thousands of people have returned this morning from the street again, after nearly a month of protests that have cost the lives of between 23-official figure-and 66-figure of the opposition people.
It was nine o'clock when he started a march in central Tunisia. First we have collected some thousands of people at the headquarters of the prestigious UGTT union then has grown to incorporate more protesters. After three quarters of an hour, have become the main avenue of the city, Habib Bourguiba, where the headquarters of the Ministry of Interior.
They have faced a police cordon and they have exceeded. They now face another bead, reinforced riot. The protesters do not trust the president and what he said yesterday, they call freedom and murderer and ask that Trabelsi, the family of the first lady, to be tried. "No Ben Ali," chanted the protesters, adding that "the revolt continues." Despite the security cordon, the police have not acted against the protesters, according to official orders not to shoot.
During protests, unprecedented, dozens of people have been killed by official repression, which has only rouse the spirits of a country tired of corruption, nepotism and high unemployment. On other occasions during this crisis, opponents of the president have ignored their promises. Since last Monday, Ben Ali promised before the cameras to create 300,000 jobs for young people by 2012.
On Wednesday, he dismissed the Interior Minister, responsible for the brutal suppression of the revolt, announced a commission of inquiry into corruption and ordered the release of all detainees in the protests. Sirivió anything: after his speech yesterday, thousands of people defied the curfew, which came into force at 20.00 and during the night, Ben Ali has held that the expiration date.
Ben Ali announced early elections would not run for re-election, scheduled for 2014, but some do not rule out that the elections are ahead. This was said today, for example, Foreign Minister Kamel Morjane, which also calls for the formation of a government of national unity. Not only is "feasible" but also "normal," he said.
Speaking to French radio station Europe 1, Morjane has said that holding early general elections from now is a possibility before the next presidential election. "The president has spoken directly since it has decided to create a commitment that we will propose a revision of the electoral code.
He said that there will be no parallel elections, legislative and presidential elections, and has therefore accepted the principle hold elections (legislative) before the presidential election in 2014. "
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