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Tunisian politician Mohamed Brahmi assassinated Tunisian politician Mohamed Brahmi assassinated
(35 minutes later)
Tunisian opposition politician Mohamed Brahmi has been shot dead outside his home in the capital, Tunis, officials say.Tunisian opposition politician Mohamed Brahmi has been shot dead outside his home in the capital, Tunis, officials say.
Mr Brahmi, 58, led the nationalist Movement of the People party.Mr Brahmi, 58, led the nationalist Movement of the People party.
It is the second time an opposition party leader has been killed this year.It is the second time an opposition party leader has been killed this year.
In February, prominent secular politician Chokri Belaid was also shot outside his house in Tunis. His murder sparked protests and forced Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali to resign.In February, prominent secular politician Chokri Belaid was also shot outside his house in Tunis. His murder sparked protests and forced Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali to resign.
An uprising in Tunisia in late 2010 kick-started a series of revolutions that spread through the Middle East and became known as the Arab Spring.An uprising in Tunisia in late 2010 kick-started a series of revolutions that spread through the Middle East and became known as the Arab Spring.
'Cowardly crime''Cowardly crime'
Gunmen on a motorbike shot Mr Brahmi in front of his wife and daughter on Thursday morning, Movement of the People party officials said. Gunmen on a motorbike shot Mr Brahmi in his car in front of his wife and daughter on Thursday morning, Movement of the People party officials said.
Local media said the assailants fired 11 bullets at the politician. It is not known yet who is behind the attack. Local media said the assailants fired 11 bullets at the politician. It is not known yet who was behind the attack.
Large crowds have gathered outside the Ministry of Interior in Tunis in protest over the killing. Mr Brahmi's wife, Mbarka, said a "criminal gang has killed the free voice of Brahmi".
There are also reports of protesters converging in the city of Sidi Bouzid, Mr Brahmi's hometown and the birthplace of the Arab Spring. She and her daughter Belkis were joined by angry Tunisians outside the hospital in Ariana where the politician died.
Large crowds also gathered outside the Ministry of Interior in Tunis in protest at the killing.
There are also reports of demonstrators converging in the city of Sidi Bouzid, Mr Brahmi's hometown and the birthplace of the Arab Spring.
"People have blocked roads and set tyres alight," a local resident told the Reuters news agency."People have blocked roads and set tyres alight," a local resident told the Reuters news agency.
The governing Islamist Ennahda party expressed "sadness and shock" over the assassination, which it described as a "cowardly and despicable crime". The governing Islamist Ennahda party expressed "sadness and shock" at the assassination, which it described as a "cowardly and despicable crime".
The killing came as Tunisia celebrated its 56th anniversary of gaining independence from France. The killing came as Tunisia celebrated the 56th anniversary of gaining independence from France.
French President Francois Hollande condemned Mr Brahmi's murder and called on Tunisians to unite behind its democratic transition. French President Francois Hollande condemned Mr Brahmi's murder and called on Tunisians to unite behind the democratic transition.
Popular unrest
Mr Brahmi founded the Movement of the People party after the 2011 revolution.Mr Brahmi founded the Movement of the People party after the 2011 revolution.
He was also a member of the National Constituent Assembly, which is drafting a new constitution.He was also a member of the National Constituent Assembly, which is drafting a new constitution.
The assembly announced Friday would be a day of mourning.The assembly announced Friday would be a day of mourning.
Mr Brahmi was not as big a political figure as Mr Belaid, but he too was a leftist critical of Ennahda.Mr Brahmi was not as big a political figure as Mr Belaid, but he too was a leftist critical of Ennahda.
Ennahda came to power following the overthrow of long-term ruler Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011.Ennahda came to power following the overthrow of long-term ruler Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in January 2011.
The party has faced growing popular unrest over a faltering economy and a rising extremist Islamist movement.The party has faced growing popular unrest over a faltering economy and a rising extremist Islamist movement.
After Mr Belaid's assassination in February, many Tunisians accused Ennahda of not doing enough to stamp out a rise in Islamist violence, with some critics saying the party was actively fomenting it, correspondents say.After Mr Belaid's assassination in February, many Tunisians accused Ennahda of not doing enough to stamp out a rise in Islamist violence, with some critics saying the party was actively fomenting it, correspondents say.
The party denied the accusations.The party denied the accusations.
Hamadi Jebali was forced to resign earlier this year after being unable to form the neutral technocratic administration he believed was necessary following Mr Belaid's shooting.
His successor, Ali Larayedh, unveiled a new coalition government in March.
The current cabinet is led by Ennahda and backed by two secular parties and some independents.