Tunisian President Leaves Country Amid Unrest

VOA, Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has left the country, amid the worst unrest there in decades. Tunisian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi says he has taken over as interim president.

Mr. Ben Ali was reported to have boarded a flight out of the country Friday evening local time. The military had sealed off the airport and closed Tunisian airspace a short time beforehand.

A state of emergency was also declared earlier Friday, with public gatherings banned and security forces authorized to shoot violators.

Dozens of people have been killed in rioting over unemployment and high food prices, with many protesters demanding Mr. Ben Ali resign. The exact death toll is not clear.

The president had earlier dismissed his government and called for early elections.

Police fired tear gas at protesters in the capital Tunis, and reporters saw officers beating and chasing demonstrators. Witnesses also said shots were heard Friday near the interior ministry.

Hospital officials said 13 people were killed late Thursday - the same day that President Ben Ali announced concessions to try to stop deadly riots.

On Thursday, Mr. Ben Ali ordered security forces to stop using firearms against demonstrators. In a televised speech, he also made sweeping pledges for political and media reform and slashed prices on food staples.

The protests erupted in the western Sidi Bouzid region in December, when a 26-year-old university graduate set himself on fire after police confiscated his produce. Authorities said he was selling it without a permit.

Also Friday, Tunisia's ambassador to UNESCO resigned. Ambassador Mezri Haddad cited the unrest but did not elaborate.