TUNIS, Tunisia — Tunisia’s interim government Wednesday issued arrest warrants for the country’s deposed president and his entourage and launched a $350 million public spending program apparently aimed at countering demands for its leaders’ dismissal.
A Cabinet reshuffling was expected to be announced by early today, in part also to mollify critics unhappy with some officials’ links to a regime ousted this month.
A days-long protest of hundreds of people against the government of Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi, a holdover from the past government, turned violent Wednesday when activists tussled with police officers firing tear gas. A few injuries were reported.
Yet nearly two weeks after a popular uprising ousted longtime President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali and inspired opposition activists throughout the Arab world, calm appeared to be returning to much of the country.
Authorities felt confident enough about security to push back the curfew by two hours to 10 p.m.
Speaking at a news conference broadcast on public radio, Justice Minister Lazhar Karoui Chebbi announced international warrants for the arrest of Ben Ali and members of his family.
The former strongman, his wife and their relatives face accusations of funneling unspecified amounts of cash outside the country and contributing to the brief upsurge of violence after the uprising. The warrants have been forwarded to Interpol.
Ben Ali and his wife are believed to be in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. At least some of their relatives found refuge in Canada, according to the Toronto Globe & Mail.
