Tunisia: Ben Ali's security chief is arrested



Deposed Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali 's head of security has been arrested.

State media said Ali Seriati, who led Mr Ben Ali's presidential security force, is accused of threatening state security by fomenting violence.

Meanwhile, there are exchanges of fireside between gunmen and security forces within the capital Tunis.

Political leaders have started efforts to fill the ability vacuum created by the autumn of President Ben Ali.

Interim leader Foued Mebazaa, who till Saturday was the speaker of parliament, has asked Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi to create a national unity government.

Under this Tunisian constitution, a presidential election should be held at intervals sixty days.

Mr Ben Ali, who had been in power for twenty three years, fled to Saudi Arabia on Friday when a month of mounting protests across the country over unemployment, food worth rises and corruption.

Dozens of individuals were killed as police opened fired on demonstrators.

The announcement of Mr Seriati's arrest on Sunday came when the previous day saw widespread violence across Tunisia, together with looting, arson and deadly jail riots.

The BBC's Wyre Davies, in Tunis, reports that the sound of sporadic gunfire has been heard in and round the town centre throughout Sunday.

Several reports describe a gun battle outside the headquarters of the Democratic Progressive Party.

Our correspondent says there seems to be a residual base of individuals loyal to former regime and hostile moves towards democratisation who are holding out against the new order.

Other attacks seem to possess targeted businesses and buildings connected with the previous president and his family.

A hospital supply in Tunis told AFP news agency that Imed Trabelsi, the nephew of Mr Ben Ali's powerful wife, had been stabbed to death on Saturday.

Residents in some areas have armed themselves with sticks and clubs, forming impromptu militias to guard their homes.

Despite this, the interim government has shortened the overnight curfew by four hours.

Curfew hours - that ran from 1700 (1600 GMT) to 0700 (0600 GMT) for 2 nights - can currently be between 1800 and 0500.

A state of emergency remains in force and there's little economic activity. Schools, government offices and most outlets are closed.




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