The Tunisian government is betting on Saturday on an improved security situation, lowering again the curfew, but remains vigilant about security and social situation remains uncertain, three weeks after the fall of Ben Ali.
Two people were killed Saturday in clashes between protesters and police in the town of El Kef (North-west), told AFP a source at the Interior Ministry.
According to union sources attached to Kef, 200 to 300 people had gathered to demand the departure of the head of the local police.
The demonstration degenerated into clashes when it slapped a protester, to the anger of the mob who burnt the police station.The police responded by firing two demonstrators and 19 and 49 have been killed, according to these same sources.
The previous day, several hundred people protested outside a police station in Sidi Bouzid (center) after the death of two people who were detained there. Three police cars were torched, according to a witness contacted by AFP.
Two security officers suspected of involvement were arrested Saturday, said the official news agency TAP.
For the Minister of Interior, Farhat Rajhi, it is a crime that could be the work of supporters of the former regime.
The authorities announced Friday a reduction of two hours of the curfew will apply from this Saturday from 0:00 to 4:00 local, "because of improved security in the country."
Britain had also lifted its warning Friday about travel in Tunisia.
Vital for the country, tourism is expected to regain its level in the spring before the troubles that have driven thousands of foreigners, on Friday assured Tourism Minister Mahdi Houas.
CEO Fram second French tour operator, said Saturday in Tunis that his group was "fully prepared to support the revival of tourism."
Tunisia "has been and continues to be one of the top destinations Fram Voyages with over 100,000 French tourists a year," said Antoine Cachin, following a meeting with Tourism Minister Mehdi Houas.
The curfew was eased for the first time January 26 (2200-04HOO) since its inception on the 12th of that month, two days before the flight of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
The transitional government did not fall so far custody. The memory of the "assault" given Monday by hundreds of people against the Ministry of Interior is still fresh.
The minister had to flee the building and spoke the day after a "conspiracy against the state."
The Government is also facing a persistent social unrest in the phosphate mines of Gafsa (center-west) crippled by job seekers who block sites.
For two weeks, two public companies CPG (Gafsa Phosphates Company) and Groupe Chimique Tunisien (GCT) lose about 3 million dinars (1.5 million) each day, according to TAP.
While twelve members of the European parliament Saturday continued their mission of support and information in Tunis, the French Socialist Party has provided "support to all democratic forces engaged in the construction of a new Tunisia", after a mission in the country.
Not a day goes by now without the team in charge of the transition does not receive outside support.
Denmark and he announced a strengthening of support for democratic reform in Tunisia but also in Egypt, with a budget of 1.34 million euros to include "free media and civil society."
