TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisia’s new leader promised order would be restored while he attempts to form a coalition to take the country to elections after a wave of popular protests swept the president from power.

The Tunisian army was called onto the streets on Friday, witnesses said, as residents in several parts of the Tunisian capital said groups were marauding through the town setting fire to buildings and attacking people and property.

TUNIS (Reuters) – A surge of anger in the streets over police repression and poverty swept Tunisia’s veteran leader from power on Friday, sending a chill through unpopular authoritarian governments across the Arab world.

President Zine al-Abedine Ben Ali stepped aside after more than two decades in power and looked to have flown out of the country. His exact whereabouts were unclear.

TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi said on Friday he was taking over as caretaker president because the incumbent, Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, was unable to carry out his duties.

The announcement came after about 8,000 people gathered in the center of the capital to demand Ben Ali’s resignation, the culmination of weeks of protests against unemployment, repression and corruption in which dozens were killed.

TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi said on Friday he was taking over as caretaker president because the incumbent, Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, was unable to carry out his duties.

The announcement came after about 8,000 people gathered in the center of the capital to demand Ben Ali’s resignation, the culmination of weeks of protests against unemployment, repression and corruption in which dozens were killed.

TUNIS (Reuters) – Gunshots rang out and police fired teargas to disperse protesters demanding the resignation of Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali on Friday after the worst unrest of his two decades in power.

Around 8,000 people were demonstrating outside the interior ministry in Tunis chanting “Ben Ali, leave!” and “Ben Ali, assassin!,” a Reuters reporter said.

TUNIS (Reuters) – Protesters demanded the immediate resignation of Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali on Friday despite the veteran ruler’s promise to step aside in 2014 in a bid to end the worst unrest of his rule.

At least 5,000 people demonstrated outside the interior ministry chanting “Ben Ali, leave!” and “Ben Ali, thank you but that’s enough!,” a Reuters reporter said.

TUNIS (Reuters) – Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, bowing to pressure from the worst unrest in decades, said on Thursday he would not seek a sixth term in office.

A leading opposition figure welcomed the pledge from Ben Ali, who has been head of state for more than 23 years, and called for the immediate creation of a coalition government.

TUNIS (Reuters) – Fourteen civilians were killed in Tunisia at the weekend in clashes with police after the worst wave of unrest the north African country has seen in decades.

Here are some questions and answers on what the possible implications are, and what lies behind the violence.

ALGIERS, Dec 16 (Reuters) – A son of Libyan leader Muammar
Gaddafi has announced his charity is withdrawing from politics,
in an indication he has lost ground in a power struggle with
conservatives who oppose his efforts at reform.

The Gaddafi Foundation is one of the main levers of
influence for Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, who is viewed as a possible
successor to his father but who has clashed with rivals over his
plans to reform the oil exporting country.

TRIPOLI (Reuters) – The European Union and African states urged Sudan’s government on Tuesday to accept the results of next year’s referendum on whether the oil-producing south of the country should secede.

The January 9 referendum, part of a peace agreement that ended decades of north-south civil war, is likely to produce a vote in favor of independence, diplomats and analysts have said, but it also could be a flashpoint for renewed conflict.