Tunisia police use tear gas against protesters

Protesters and police clashed in Ariana on Tuesday night, after Tunisia's prime minister addressed the nation in an attempt to halt the protests that have been happening across the country since last Friday. Police used tear gas while young protesters blocked streets, set barricades on fire and threw objects at the security forces in Ariana, a city in the outskirts of the capital, Tunis.

Prime Minister Hisham Al-Mashishi, said in a speech on national television the government was listening to the voices of the demonstrators. Al-Mashishi also condemned the looting and violence and defended the work done by security forces.

Tunisia's economic crisis, unemployment and lack of basic services - all deepened by the pandemic - has angered protesters. The protests have led to a muscular response from authorities who fear a repeat of the protests that led to the ousting of strongman President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali 10 years ago.