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Fresh protests hit Tunisia amid mourning

Hundreds of Tunisian protesters have gathered outside the Interior Ministry in the capital Tunis to demand the dissolution of the post-revolution interim government.

The demonstration was held on the first day of a three-day national mourning period for those who were killed during the weeks of protests in the country.

Demonstrators were held back by police at the interior ministry.

The building was attacked last week, forcing former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to flee to Saudi Arabia.

Some protesters have reportedly headed toward the country’s main labor union headquarters to call for a general strike.

Hundreds of Tunisians have also performed the Friday prayers — a practice banned by the Ben Ali regime.

Meanwhile, the caretaker cabinet has issued a blanket amnesty to all political groups previously banned including the Islamic opposition.

It has also announced that schools and universities, which have been closed since last week, would reopen on Monday.

The new unity government aims to prepare Tunisia for new elections in two months.

Ben Ali’s 23-year dictatorship, which was marred by repeated human rights violations and torture, ended earlier this month after weeks of street protests.

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