A state of emergency has been announced today in Tunisia following extremely fraught relations between civilians and state authorities. Reports of violence between protesters opposing President Ben Ali and police are becoming widespread, and curfews have been put in place banning people from the streets between 5pm and 7am.

Groups are also prohibited, and anyone found congregating in groups of 3 or more are likely to be arrested. The use of rubber bullets has also been authorised on anyone resisting arrest, though there have been claims of live ammunition been used during protests. Police vehemently deny this, though it is clear that tear gas and heavy use of batons has been employed against demonstrators, and that an unspecified number of people have been killed in rioting. Yesterday evening, the president addressed the nation and called for an end to both the violence and media censorship in the country. It was also announced on state television that the Tunisian government has been dissolved.

Prices of staples such as bread and milk have sky rocketed within the last few months, giving rise to the angry outbursts from Tunisian citizens which combined makes for the worst civil unrest in recent Tunisian history. Tunisia is a developing country and many of its people are impoverished, spending around half of their wages on food.

UPDATE: It has been learned by Tripbase news staff that President Ben Ali has left Tunisia, boarding a jet out of the country on Friday night (local time). His current whereabouts are not known at this time.

Reported by Claire Blackthorne.

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