Tunisia summons US ambassador

Tunisian authorities have summoned the United States ambassador in Tunis over Washington’s meddling in the North African country’s domestic affairs.

US State Department spokesman Philip Crowley told reporters on Tuesday that Gordon Gray was called to a meeting with Tunisian officials following Washington’s criticism of the African government’s handling of protests by angry youths, AFP reported.

“The [US] government had a follow-up discussion with the Tunisian government in Tunis today,” Crowley said. “We again affirmed our concerns about the ongoing violence, the importance of respecting freedom of expression,” he added.

A statement released by the Tunisian government on Monday said the violence left at least 14 people dead, but protest organizers said that 27 people were killed in demonstrations on Sunday and 12 others on Monday.

The casualties came when clashes erupted between security forces and protesters demanding more jobs and political freedom.

In a live address on Monday, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali promised to create 300,000 new jobs.

Despite the appeasing pledge, all classes were canceled and all campuses closed on Monday to dampen huge rallies by college and high school students around the country.

Riots and protests broke out in Tunisia following the self-immolation of a 26-year-old fruit vendor, identified as Muhammad Bouazizi, who set himself on fire after police confiscated his merchandise.