TUNIS--Tunisian authorities Friday declared a state of emergency across the rioting-hit country and ordered security forces to fire at anyone who refuses to comply. Tunisia is in the midst of its worst rioting in decades. The state of emergency was announced as fresh clashes broke out Friday between police and thousands of protesters angry with food prices and high unemployment. Many have demanded the resignation of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. The President earlier dismissed his government and called for early elections. Tunisia's official news agency said Ben Ali wanted those elections to be held within six months. Police fired tear gas at protesters in the capital Tunis, and reporters saw officers beating and chasing demonstrators. Witnesses also said shots were heard Friday near the interior ministry. Hospital officials said 13 people were killed late Thursday, the same day that President Ben Ali announced concessions to try to stop deadly riots. There was no official confirmation of the newly-reported deaths -- which would be in addition to the 23 people the government reported killed. On Thursday, Ben Ali ordered security forces to stop using firearms against demonstrators. In a televised speech, he also made sweeping pledges for political and media reform and slashed prices on food staples. The protests erupted in the western Sidi Bouzid region in December, when a 26-year-old university graduate set himself on fire after police confiscated his produce. Authorities said he was selling it without a permit. Also Friday, Tunisia's ambassador to UNESCO resigned. Mezri Haddad cited the unrest but did not elaborate.
