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Tunisia protests: Reforms announced amid new rallies | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The Tunisian government has announced a wave of social reforms, reacting to days of demonstrations by anti-austerity protesters. | The Tunisian government has announced a wave of social reforms, reacting to days of demonstrations by anti-austerity protesters. |
There were fresh protests on Sunday, the seventh anniversary of the ousting of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. | |
Emergency government meetings have been held in response to the protests, which have seen more than 800 arrests. | |
President Beji Caid Essebsi visited a district of Tunis on Sunday, saying he understood the people's suffering. | |
Protesters have taken to the streets again following calls from opposition parties. | |
They argue conditions have not improved since Ben Ali was deposed as president at the start of the so-called Arab Spring uprisings. | |
When did the protests begin and what caused them? | |
Demonstrations began on 7 January after the government raised value-added tax and social contributions, and increased some prices on goods in its 2018 budget. | |
Rallies have taken place in at least 10 different areas. | |
On Sunday, hundreds of people poured into one of the flashpoints of the 2011 uprising, Habib Bourguiba Avenue in Tunis. | |
Demonstrators also rallied outside the offices of the UGTT union, demanding the budget be abandoned and venting anger at price rises. | |
Last week saw a wave of protests, some of which turned violent after dark. | |
The government accused demonstrators of setting fire to police cars and attacking officials. Some people tried to take over shopping malls and stores, while others blocked roads. | The government accused demonstrators of setting fire to police cars and attacking officials. Some people tried to take over shopping malls and stores, while others blocked roads. |
In the town of Thala, near the Algerian border, the army was called in on Wednesday after protesters burned down the national security offices and police were forced to retreat. | |
Interior ministry spokesman Khlifa Chibani said on Saturday that 803 people had been arrested so far on suspicion of violence, theft and looting. | |
He said 97 members of the security forces had been injured, but did not say how many protesters had been hurt. | |
Demonstrators accused police of a violent crackdown. | |
What are the reforms being promised? | What are the reforms being promised? |
The announcement came after two hours of crisis talks at the presidential palace that included President Essebsi, political parties and trade unionists. | The announcement came after two hours of crisis talks at the presidential palace that included President Essebsi, political parties and trade unionists. |
Officials said plans had been submitted to parliament to reform medical care, housing and increase aid to the poor. | Officials said plans had been submitted to parliament to reform medical care, housing and increase aid to the poor. |
Social affairs minister Mohammed Trabelsi said the government proposed increasing welfare payments to those in need by 170m dinars ($70m; £50m). | Social affairs minister Mohammed Trabelsi said the government proposed increasing welfare payments to those in need by 170m dinars ($70m; £50m). |
"This will affect about 250,000 families. It will help the poor and middle class," he said. | "This will affect about 250,000 families. It will help the poor and middle class," he said. |
Mr Trabelsi also alluded to plans for guaranteed medical care and housing reform. | |
What did Mr Essebsi say on Sunday? | |
He visited the marginalised Tunis district of Ettdhamon, opening a youth centre there. | |
In a short and informal speech, he promised to address youth unemployment and highlighted the government's move to help poorer families, saying: "We feel for you, these are our families." | |
But he also said: "Be modest, your country does not have a lot of means." | |
What is Tunisia's economic situation? | What is Tunisia's economic situation? |
Tunisia has been struggling economically since Ben Ali was ousted after more than 20 years in power. | |
That revolution was sparked by high unemployment and worries about corruption. | That revolution was sparked by high unemployment and worries about corruption. |
However, seven years on, some of the same problems remain - not helped by terror attacks that have hit Tunisia's vital tourism industry and foreign investment opportunities. | However, seven years on, some of the same problems remain - not helped by terror attacks that have hit Tunisia's vital tourism industry and foreign investment opportunities. |
In December 2017, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) told Tunisia it needed to take "urgent action" and "decisive measures" to reduce its deficit. The IMF gave the country a $2.9bn (£2.2bn) loan in 2015. | In December 2017, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) told Tunisia it needed to take "urgent action" and "decisive measures" to reduce its deficit. The IMF gave the country a $2.9bn (£2.2bn) loan in 2015. |
Ben Ali, who lives in exile in Saudi Arabia, was convicted in absentia by a Tunisian court in 2011 of embezzlement and misuse of public funds and sentenced to 35 years. | |