Soldiers stand guard atop a building the center
of Tunis, 15 Jan 2011
Tunisia's new interim president called for the
formation of a coalition government as riots and
unrest continued to grip the North African
country.
It was another tumultuous day in Tunisia's
capital, marked by gunshots, helicopters flying
overhead and a fast-paced series of political
changes for this normally staid North African
country.
Just hours after hardline president Zine El Abdine
Ben Ali fled the country, Tunisia swore in a
new, interim leader. He is Fouad Mebazza, the
former head of the lower house of parliament.
He has ordered the creation of a unity
government that includes members of the
opposition. The Tunisia Constitutional Council,
which swore in Mr. Mebazza, says the new
leader has 60 days to hold new presidential
elections.
On the streets of the capital, Tunisians ventured
out to survey the damage of widespread looting
that broke out following massive
demonstrations Friday calling for Ben Ali to go.
Tanks dotted the streets that were littered with
broken glass and burnt objects. Assailants have
also torched Tunisia's main train station.
Still, 22-year old student Hishem Benyaghem
says he is optimistic about Tunisia's future. He
believes it will only bring good things.
Farez Bouslim, a man in his '40s, is less upbeat.
He thinks a democratic transition in Tunisia will
not be easy. He is afraid there will be more
bloodshed.
Reports of violence continue to flood in. Along
with the call to prayer, sounds of gunfire rang
across the capital Saturday evening. There were
reports of prisoner rebellions and prison fires
elsewhere in the country. The evening saw
another curfew, with the streets of Tunis empty
except for police and soldiers - and looters.
Fueled by the Internet and popular uprisings,
the power change - dubbed the Jasmine or
Facebook revolution - is being watched closely
overseas. Washington, France, the Arab League
and Germany have all praised the ordinary
Tunisians behind it. But they are also calling for
democratic elections to follow.
At the end, says Claire Spencer, a senior North
African analyst at London think-tank Chatham
House, Tunisians had had enough of Ben Ali's
hardline regime. "When the corruption is too
flagrant and the responses are too heavy
handed, people say we can't tolerate this
anymore. This is beyond what I and my
personal dignity can stand," she said.
Spencer believes democratic change is possible
but it will happen gradually. And she says that
other things Tunisians hunger for - jobs and
economic opportunities - will likely come
slowly.
Source: Http://www.voanews.com/english/news/Tunisian-Capital-Tense-as-Interim-Leader-Sworn-in-113795659.html
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