The Briefing Room
General Category => World News => Topic started by: EC on May 20, 2013, 05:18:57 am
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Via the BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-22587055
Tunisian police have clashed with hundreds of hardline Islamists after the authorities banned a Salafist group from holding its annual meeting.
At least one protester died in the Tunis suburb of Ettadhamen and several police and protesters were injured.
Police also clashed with protesters in the central city of Kairouan where the Ansar al-Sharia meeting was planned.
The government banned the congress last week, saying it posed a threat to public security.
The group urged its supporters instead to gather for the meeting in Ettadhamen.
Some 500 supporters were reported to have descended on Ettadhamen on Sunday, erecting barricades and hurling stones at police who responded by firing tear gas.
The state news agency said that a 27-year-old man was killed and 11 policemen were injured in the running street battles that followed.
More at link, including video.
Worrying, as Tunisia has always been relatively stable.