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| Africa North |
| Uncertainty grips Tunisia |
| 2011-01-18 |
| [Arab News] Tunisian authorities struggled to restore order Sunday, arresting the top presidential security chief and trying to stop shootouts that erupted across the capital. One clash broke out near Tunisia's main opposition party building, another by the dreaded Interior Ministry and a third in a Tunis suburb. Observers worldwide were looking to see which way the North African nation would turn as its new leadership sought to stamp down the looting, arson and random violence that has taken place since the departure of President Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali on Friday. Tensions appeared to be mounting between Tunisians buoyant over Ben Ali's departure and loyalists in danger of losing major perks. The security chief Ali Seriati and his deputy were charged with a plot against state security, aggressive acts and for "provoking disorder, murder and pillaging," the TAP state news agency reported. Police and vigilantes stopped vehicles as the city remained under a state of emergency. More than 50 people were jugged by police on suspicion of using ambulances, rental cars and government vehicles for random shootings. Among them were four German nationals who were found carrying weapons in taxis. The drivers of the three taxis transporting the people jugged told police their clients were going hunting. Unconfirmed reports earlier said two Swedish nationals were jugged with "hunting rifles." A shootout broke out in the afternoon between security forces and unidentified attackers in front of the main opposition party PDP's headquarters, said party member Issam Chebbi. Soon after that clash, repeated volleys of gunfire were heard close by near the Interior Ministry. Military and police sources said security forces had killed two gunnies stationed on a rooftop near the central bank, a block from the Interior Ministry. A military official told the station that the two men had been killed by fire directed from a helicopter. Another gunbattle broke out around the presidential palace. Presidential guards loyal to Ben Ali were involved in the shootout in Carthage on the Mediterranean shore, about 15 km north of Tunis. Carthage residents have barricaded themselves inside their homes amid the shooting. Tunisian media reported that one brother-in-law of Ben Ali, Imed Trabelsi, died after an attack by an angry mob at Tunis airport. Businesses owned by Ben Ali's family were targeted by looters, including the Zeitouna bank in Tunis founded by Ben Ali's son-in-law and vehicles made by Kia, Fiat and Porsche -- brands distributed by members of the ruling family. Several hundred people filed through the empty, ransacked home of the former president's nephew, Kaif Ben Ali, taking photographs, picking up plants as souvenirs and stripping out plumbing fixtures. The villa is in the chic Mediterranean resort of Hammamet, about 60 km from the capital. Ordinary Tunisians concentrated on two key needs Sunday -- food and security. Many scoured the capital for food. Most shops remained closed, others were looted and bread and milk were running short. "We're starting to feel it now," said Imed Jaound at the Tunis port, which has been closed since Friday. Fish mongers were selling 2- to 3-day-old fish, said Ezzedine Gaesmi, a salesman at the indoor market in Tunis, where numerous stands were empty. "There's no fresh fish. If it continues for two or three more days, we'll close," he said. Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi was holding talks on Sunday to try to form a unity government. The interim president, former Parliament Speaker Fouad Mebazaa, has told the prime minister to create a national unity government and urged him to consult with the opposition. Presidential elections must be held in 60 days. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #5 I've heard different forms of that joke over the years. Almost made me wanted to start a "Patriotic Chickens" blog, but real life intervened and noone would get the joke anyway. |
| Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain 2011-01-18 13:44 |
| #4 "Listen, years ago I rode with Ju¨¢rez against Emperor Maximilian. I lost many chickens but I thought it was worth it to be free. When Porfirio became President, I supported him ¨C but he stole my chickens. Then came Huerta and he stole my chickens. Then it was Carranza¡¯s term, and he stole my chickens too. Now comes Pancho Villa to liberate me and the first thing he does is steal my chickens.(¡Â) What makes one different from the others? My chickens don¡¯t know. All over the world revolutions come and go. Presidents rise and fall. They all stole your chickens. The only thing to change is the name of the man who takes them." ¨DOld man in pueblo, Young Indiana Jones Chronicles |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2011-01-18 13:39 |
| #3 It's amusing to me (in an ironic way) how the "perks" of the incumbents and the looting of those who want the incumbents gone points to a less than wealthy future. Incumbent Looter Versus New Looter. Whoever wins, we lose. |
| Posted by: Bright Pebbles 2011-01-18 09:15 |
| #2 I take it you've never been desperate for food, gromky, or in a situation that is unravelling into total anarchic violence. |
| Posted by: lotp 2011-01-18 07:53 |
| #1 "You don't have any fresh fish?" "I'm afraid not, sir." "Your eggs, then. They are fresh?" |
| Posted by: gromky 2011-01-18 01:23 |