Tunisian Police Fire Tear Gas on Protesters in Southern City

Witnesses said Tunisian police fired tear gas at demonstrators after hundreds attempted to storm a government headquarters in the southern city of Tataouine to protest the government's failure to provide employment, according to Asharq Al-Awsat

Protesters are urging the government to enforce a 2017 agreement to build jobs in oil companies and infrastructure projects in order to minimise unemployment in the country, which is currently at 30%, one of Tunisia's highest rates.

The protests put further pressure on the government, which is in the midst of a power struggle between Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and President Kais Saied, which has resulted in a political crisis. Tunisia witnessed violent demonstrations in January and February, but March was relatively peaceful.

Protesters attempted to reach the government building on Tuesday to stage a sit-in and demand the governor's resignation, but police surrounded them, dispersed them with tear gas, and chased them through the streets.