Tunisians demand increased pace of reforms

Tunisian police yesterday used tear gas to disperse stone-throwing demonstrators who were demanding progress in reforms promised after the president's removal in the first of the Arab Spring revolutions.

More than 700 protesters gathered in Kasbah square in the centre of the Tunis, but were quickly dispersed by hundreds of police officers in riot gear.

Protests also took place in Sidi Bouzid, the central Tunisian town where a vegetable seller set himself on fire last December, setting in train protests that brought to an end the 23-year rule of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.

The demonstrators, angered by what they see as the interim government's failure to live up to the promise of Tunisia's Jasmine Revolution, chanted: "We want a new revolution".

Mehdi Alharchana, one of the protesters in Sidi Bouzid, said: "People are angry. Nothing has changed and frustration is haunting everyone."

Demonstrations and strikes have rumbled through Tunisia in recent weeks and months, echoing popular discontent with slow progress with reforms since the fall of Mr Ben Ali.

On Wednesday, soldiers broke up clashes between hundreds of young people in the southern town of Gafsa.

Since Mr Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia six months ago, Tunisia has undergone an uncertain political transformation and the economy is in grave difficulties.