TUNIS - Gunshots were heard in the center of Tunis on Thursday, a Reuters reporter said, after one man was killed in clashes with police in the city overnight. Black smoke billowed into the sky as people covered their mouths against the fumes and police blocked off the area. The latest clashes in anti-government protests that began nearly a month ago were taking place a short distance from the central bank building in the city's main commercial area, also the location of the main bus and tram station. "There was a protest and police used tear gas and gunfire to disperse the crowds," said a witness in a nearby street. All shops were closed with their shutters down and armed soldiers, brought in to reinforce the police, stood guard outside government buildings behind banks of razor wire. State television said President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, facing the biggest challenge to his rule since he took office over 23 years ago, would make an address later in the day. People taking part in the unrest say they are angry about unemployment, corruption and what they say is government repression. Officials say the protests have been hijacked by a minority of violent extremists who want to undermine Tunisia. The latest official count for the number of civilians killed in the unrest is 23. But witnesses told Reuters on Wednesday another five had been killed, while the United Nations said rights groups put the toll at almost 40.
