Protests force Tunisian president out of power

Dawn.com Published January 15, 2011
Demonstrators hold boards reading ?Ben Ali get out?. Thousands of angry demonstrators marched through Tunisia's capital, demanding the resignation of the country's autocratic leader. ? Photo by AP.
Demonstrators hold boards reading ?Ben Ali get out?. Thousands of angry demonstrators marched through Tunisia's capital, demanding the resignation of the country's autocratic leader. ? Photo by AP.
Ben Ali declared a state of emergency and announced that he would fire his government as thousands of protesters mobbed the capital to demand his ouster. Tunisian air space was closed, gunfire rang out in Tunis, and police beat any protesters they could grab. ? Photo by AP.
Ben Ali declared a state of emergency and announced that he would fire his government as thousands of protesters mobbed the capital to demand his ouster. Tunisian air space was closed, gunfire rang out in Tunis, and police beat any protesters they could grab. ? Photo by AP.
Demonstrators throw stones at police during clashes in Tunis, January 14, 2011. ? Photo by AP
Demonstrators throw stones at police during clashes in Tunis, January 14, 2011. ? Photo by AP
Riot police officers run toward protesters during clashes. ? Photo by AP.
Riot police officers run toward protesters during clashes. ? Photo by AP.
A protester hits a policeman. ? Photo by Reuters.
A protester hits a policeman. ? Photo by Reuters.
A photo taken from Channel 7 shows Tunisian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi (C), flanked by Abdallah Kallel (L), president of the Chamber of Advisers of Tunisia and the President of the Tunisian Parliament Fouad Mbazaa, addressing the nation on state television on January 14, 2011 that he had taken over as interim president after Zine El Abidine Ben Ali had left the country. Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali left the country today, the prime minister announced on state television, after unprecedented pr
A photo taken from Channel 7 shows Tunisian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi (C), flanked by Abdallah Kallel (L), president of the Chamber of Advisers of Tunisia and the President of the Tunisian Parliament Fouad Mbazaa, addressing the nation on state television on January 14, 2011 that he had taken over as interim president after Zine El Abidine Ben Ali had left the country. Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali left the country today, the prime minister announced on state television, after unprecedented pr
A picture taken on March 17, 2007 shows Tunisian Parliament Speaker Fouad Mebazaa addressing the opening session of the Euro-Mediterranean parliamentary assembly in Tunis. Tunisia's president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has been officially ousted from power, the country's Constitutional Council decided on January 15, 2011 and Fouad Mebazaa has been named interim president by the Council. ? Photo by AFP.
A picture taken on March 17, 2007 shows Tunisian Parliament Speaker Fouad Mebazaa addressing the opening session of the Euro-Mediterranean parliamentary assembly in Tunis. Tunisia's president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has been officially ousted from power, the country's Constitutional Council decided on January 15, 2011 and Fouad Mebazaa has been named interim president by the Council. ? Photo by AFP.
People celebrate near the Tunisian embassy in Paris, after the announcement that Tunisian fallen President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali quit Tunisia after weeks of deadly protests. ? Photo by AFP.
People celebrate near the Tunisian embassy in Paris, after the announcement that Tunisian fallen President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali quit Tunisia after weeks of deadly protests. ? Photo by AFP.

Now ousted Tunisian President Zine El Abidne Ben Ali fired his interior minister on Wednesday after a deadly wave of violent unrest, the biggest in decades, reached the capital for the first time. People taking part in the unrest said they were angry about unemployment, corruption and what they called a repressive government. After mounting demands for him to step down, Ben Ali left the country on January 14, 2011.

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Comments (5) Closed
M. Malik
Jan 17, 2011 10:29am
When are the people of Pakistan going to wake up, and get rid of the corrupt leaders, who've done nothing but bankrupted the country, brought misery and poverty to the masses, then their empty promises of Roti, Kaprah and Makan!
Recommend 0
Dawn
Jan 19, 2011 12:24pm
I agree to M. Malik
Recommend 0
zaryab
Jan 20, 2011 07:58pm
i do not understand why martial law is imposed during the period when pakistan starts its journey towards prosperity.
Recommend 0
Usman
Jan 21, 2011 01:11am
We need this in Pakistan. We need to do this, to stand up, NOW. This is how it's done.
Recommend 0
Owais
Jan 21, 2011 12:36pm
What are we (Pakistanis) doing? I think its a wake up call. Revolution can only come after great sacrifices!!!!
Recommend 0

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