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Three killed in fresh Tunisia clashes

At least three people have been killed and several others wounded in separate clashes between Tunisian security forces and protesters.

In the central Tunisian town of Douz, Hatem Bettaher, a university lecturer, and Riad Ben Oun, an electrician, were killed and a number of residents wounded during Wednesday’s clashes.

Police used tear gas and opened fire on people protesting against unemployment and high costs of living.

This is the first time the town of Douz, 550 kilometers (340 miles) south of the capital Tunis, has witnessed violence since protests began in mid-December, AFP reported.

There were also fresh clashes in the central-western town of Thala. A demonstrator was shot dead and two others wounded in gunfire in the town, about 250 kilometres southwest of the capital Tunis, a unionist said.

Up to 50 people have been reported dead in protests.

The casualties came when unusually violent demonstrations erupted on Saturday to mark a new peak in the protests, which has been going on across the country over the past month.

Most clashes were reported in the capital, where the government deployed troops earlier Wednesday to quell violence. Troops in armored vehicles took position at major intersections and at the entrance of the Ettadhamen quarter cite.

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