TUNIS: The Tunisian army has taken control of the North African nation after President Zine El Abidin Ben Ali reportedly left the country over increasing public discontent.
Ali left the country for Malta on Friday shortly after he sacked his cabinet members and commissioning Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi to form a new government, a foreign agency reported.
Sources say that members of the Ali family have been arrested.
Prime Minister Ghannouchi announced that he was taking over the immediate responsibility to run the country.
“Since the president is temporarily unable to exercise his duties, it has been decided that the prime minister will exercise temporarily the (presidential) duties,” Ghannouchi said on state television.
Tunisian military units have surrounded the international airport on the outskirts of the capital city.
Earlier on Friday, Ali declared a national state of emergency as anti-government protests across Tunisia reached a breaking point.
Public gatherings have been banned in Tunis and security forces have been authorized to fire on anyone refusing to obey orders. Â Curfew has also been imposed.
Tunisians, who have been demanding Ben Ali to resign, are furious about the police killing 63 people within last five week — especially after the president promised to end the use of live rounds on protesters.
More than 6000 people besieged the Interior Ministry Office and demanded the president to resign. The protesters said democracy cannot merge in the country unless Ali resigns.
It is pertinent to mention that had been the president of Tunisia for 23 years.
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