Thomas Cook Evacuate Tunisia Holidaymakers

A statement from Tunisian President Ben Ali said today that he would not stand for re-election in the strife-torn country's next poll, in 2013.

The news came as the travel company Thomas Cook began to evacuate 1,800 UK tourists from Tunisia amid protests and riots.

The tour operator reported it has not seen problems for holidaymakers located in the North African nation, but as a precaution was asking everyone to leave.

Tunisia has been hit by unrest due to anger over unemployment and an alleged corrupt leadership.

On Friday, a march took place through Tunis to demand the resignation of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

The beleaguered leader ordered the Tunisian security forces not to shoot on the protestors, as hundreds of Tunisians defied the curfew last night and were out in the streets after 8pm to continue making their voice heard.

On Wednesday a general state of emergency was declared and a curfew was announced in greater Tunis (Tunis, Ben Arous, Ariana and La Manouba) forbidding people to go out between 8pm and 5.30am.

In the latest unrest, four persons were reported to have died in clashes with police. Reports over the number of dead people are conflicting since the International Federation of Human Rights claims that overnight eight people were killed in clashes with security forces.

Violence in Tunisia broke out in the past weeks after an unemployed university student killed himself because of the situation he was in, and came after he was arrested because he was selling unlicensed goods.

On Wednesday afternoon protestors threw stones at police in Tunis. It was the first time in weeks of unrest that violence spread to the capital city. Security forces responded by firing tear gas on fierce demonstrators.

More clashed were reported in at least half a dozen other towns across the country including Sfax, Douz and Thala.

Reporters in Tunisia say there is tension and fear in the streets of the capital city with security forces patrolling all areas.

President Ben Ali is only the country's second President since independence from France in 1956 and he has been in office since 1987. Tunisia has a tight control policy to prevent dissent and unrest, however angry students could not be controlled in past weeks.

In 2009 President Ben Ali was re-elected to another five year term with 89.62% of the vote, but freeing arrested demonstrators and sacking the interior Minister were not enough for President Ben Ali to prevent more unrest.

(BMcN)