No let-up in Tunisia protests
January 29, 2011 by Trend PK
Filed under Breaking News
Breaking News
Tunisian riot police stormed a protest camp to disperse demonstrators who have held a round-the-clock sit-in for five days demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi on Friday.
Protesters threw stones at police, who then fired tear gas to disperse the crowds, but security forces chased after the mostly rural and young protesters through narrow alleyways in central Tunis’ Casbah district before destroying their campsite and possessions.Police fired tear gas at demonstrators on a day many had hoped would see a return of calm to the country following Thursday’s (January 27) cabinet re-shuffle that saw many of the former faces in dictator Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali’s regime leave, but some felt Ghannouchi should have gone too.President of the Tunisian Union for the Defense of Human Rights, Mukhtar Al-Tariki, explained that the Prime Minister had promised concessions.I told the prime minister to immediately stop the tear gas and stop using force, so that the people can decide what to do. He told me it had already been done. Now I arrive and I see that the tear gas had stopped, at least here. I asked the prime minister to release those arrested, he told me he was going to do it right away, and I asked for the army to retreat and stop clearing up the square, he promised me that he would do that too, said Mukhtar Al-Tariki.We tried to say to the authorities that what’s happening here is unacceptable, I told the Prime Minister in the morning not to do anything and to let the situation calm down naturally and we can find a negotiable solution, he added.Protesters who had camped outside the prime minister’s office for several days began negotiations with representatives of the interim government in the morning in a bid to end the stand-off but shortly before sunset, stone throwing youths were chased out of the area by riot police and soldiers.The force used by police will likely ring alarm bells for some Tunisians who fear old security practices will need substantial reform to protect human rights.Police tore down tents and kicked around their belongings before displaying weapons found in the abandoned possessions such as an axe, machete, and several knives.
US Deligation Meets Prime Minister Gilani
ISLAMABAD: United States Ambassador in Pakistan Ann W. Patterson called on Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani at Prime Minister House here on Friday. The US envoy discussed bilateral relations and cooperation in various fields.
Prime Minister Gilani expressed gratitude for United States joint hosting of the Friends of Pakistan moot and hoped the aid pledges made in Tokyo will be fulflilled.
Gilani urged United States and other countries to extend help to Pakistan to meet the energy crisis in the country. He said the armed forces need modern arms and military equipment to win the war against terrorism.
The US envoy told the prime minister that a team of American experts will visit Pakistan next month to review the energy projects. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will announce the projects during her upcoming visit of Pakistan.
Patterson also informed the prime minister that the Congress will approve the Kerry-Lugar bill in coming weeks.
US Deligation Meets Prime Minister Gilani was first posted on September 18, 2009 at 6:13 pm.
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