Tunisian Prime Minister Resigns over Protests

Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi announced is resignation during a speech braodcasted by the Tunisian State Television on Sunday, 27 February 2011. Photo by EPA/BGNES

Tunisian interim Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi has announced on state TV that he is resigning, following days of anti-government rallies calling on him to resign.

Ghannouchi is seen as being too close to former President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, who was toppled in an uprising last month. He had served under Mr Ben Ali since 1999.

At least three people were killed in clashes between hundreds of demonstrators and security forces in Tunis on Saturday.

Tunisia's government had insisted it was introducing reforms as fast as it could, and that they were planning to hold elections by next July.

But thoses promises did not seem to satisfy the protesters, BBC comments.

Tunisia's main border crossing with Libya is overwhelmed by thousands of people fleeing unrest, many of them Egyptians, and faces a humanitarian crisis, an aid group said Sunday.

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