Tunisian prime minister warns protesters

Tunisia’s Prime Minister Hichem Mechechi has warned against chaos and destruction of property in his first address to the nation following days of protests and riots which began on Friday.

Mr Mechichi acknowledged the economic and social grievances of the population at large but condemned the acts of violence, and the vandalism and looting that occurred at some of the protests.

While he warned that chaos would not be tolerated, he also tried to appeal to the youth:

Quote Message: In the next few days we will work on putting in place an initiative that will enable you to get your voices, suggestions and projections heard, and which will allow us to play our role… your voices are heard, your anger is legitimate, and my role and the government’s role is to work on realising your demands… so that dreams in Tunisia become a possibility, and where hope is a foundation.
In the next few days we will work on putting in place an initiative that will enable you to get your voices, suggestions and projections heard, and which will allow us to play our role… your voices are heard, your anger is legitimate, and my role and the government’s role is to work on realising your demands… so that dreams in Tunisia become a possibility, and where hope is a foundation.

Quote Message: The crisis is real, the anger and protest is legitimate, but we reject chaos and we will confront that with the power of the law and the unity of the state.”
The crisis is real, the anger and protest is legitimate, but we reject chaos and we will confront that with the power of the law and the unity of the state.”

More than 600 people, mostly between the ages of 14 and 15, were arrested over the weekend following running battles and clashes with the police, who called them rioters.

The rights body Amnesty International has criticised the authorities for excessive use of force.

Police have been using tear gas and chasing youngsters with batons in areas where they took to the streets.

There appeared to be fewer night protests since Monday.

But dozens of activists and students have been holding demonstrations in central Tunis and elsewhere during the day, demanding the release of those arrested and calling for jobs and dignity.

They also revived chants of the 2011 revolution calling for the fall of the regime.

Tunisia has been gripped by an economic downturn in recent years and Tunisians have largely lost faith in their elected politicians.

The current prime minister and his government were appointed six months ago, but at the weekend he announced a sweeping reshuffle to his cabinet, which still needs to be approved by parliament.

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