Tunisia shuts schools as riots claim 20 lives

Tunisia's government yesterday reported that four more civilians had been killed in the worst civil unrest for decades, bringing its toll from weeks of violence to 20. Human rights groups believe the figure is higher.

The mainly youthful protesters say they are demanding jobs, but president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, facing the worst unrest of his 23-year rule, has said the rioting is a "terrorist act", orchestrated by foreign parties who were trying to damage Tunisia.

His government has ordered the indefinite closure of schools and universities in an attempt to stamp out clashes with police.

The latest official death toll for the last 72 hours was 18 dead, with another two killed in earlier clashes. Two people also killed themselves in acts of protest.

Amnesty International gave a figure of 23 dead, while Souhayr Belhassan, who chairs the Paris-based International Federation for Human Rights, said the figure was 35. She added that the toll "could get worse".