so what is going down in Tunisia?

[Alex]

reuters is saying military has surrounded the airport and shut down the airspace.

[Denny]

It's just a preview of what we're about to be seeing.

[Denny]

[Strychnine]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12195025

14 January 2011 Last updated at 11:45 ET

Tunisia: State of emergency declared amid protests
A state of emergency has been declared in Tunisia amid protests over corruption, unemployment and inflation.

The decree bans more than three people from gathering together in the open, and imposes a night-time curfew.

Security forces have been authorised to open fire on people not obeying their orders.

Police fired tear gas as thousands gathered outside the interior ministry in the capital Tunis, urging President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali to quit.

Troops have surrounded the country's main international airport, Tunis Carthage.

The president has dismissed his government and dissolved parliament, saying new elections will be held within six months.

On Thursday night, Mr Ben Ali, who has governed Tunisia since 1987, announced he would stand down in 2014 - but the protesters say he should go immediately.

Doctors say that 13 people were killed in overnight clashes in the capital, and there are unconfirmed reports that five people have been killed in protests on Friday outside the capital.

Human rights groups say more than 60 people have died in recent weeks as unrest swept the country and security forces cracked down on the protests.

The protests started after an unemployed graduate set himself on fire when police tried to prevent him from selling vegetables without a permit. He died a few weeks later.

Tourists going home

Meanwhile, UK tour operator Thomas Cook is pulling out all 1,800 of its customers currently on holiday in Tunisia.

Thomas Cook and another holiday company, Thomson First Choice, are cancelling departures to Tunisia scheduled for Sunday 16 January. However, Thomson are not bringing home visitors already in Tunisia early.

Tourism is key to Tunisia's economy and an important source of jobs.

The UK, the US and France are among the countries advising against non-essential travel to Tunisia.

"The situation is unpredictable and there is the potential for violence to flare up, raising the risk of getting caught up in demonstrations," the UK Foreign Office said in its latest travel advisory.

In his speech on Thursday night, Mr Ben Ali said there was "no presidency for life" in Tunisia. He said he did not intend to amend the constitution to remove the upper age limit for presidential candidates, which would have allowed him to stand for a further term in 2014.

The president, who earlier this week had blamed the unrest on "terrorists", also said he felt "very, very deep and massive regret" over the deaths of civilians in the protests.

He said he had ordered troops to stop firing on protesters except in self-defence, and pledged to take action on food prices, which have gone up fourfold in recent weeks.

Afterwards, Mr Ben Ali's supporters took to the streets of Tunis, cheering and sounding car horns.

But human rights activist Mohamed Abbou said he believed President Ben Ali was "fooling the Tunisians with promises that have no tomorrow".

On Thursday, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned Arab leaders they would face growing unrest unless they enacted real economic and political reform.

Mrs Clinton was speaking in Doha at the end of a four-nation visit to the Gulf.

Mr Ben Ali, 74, is only Tunisia's second president since independence from France in 1956. He was last re-elected in 2009 with 89.62% of the vote.

[Alex]

lol at them banning more than 3 people in a group together outside

[yellowstang]

That's where we need to book our group summer vacation, cheap accommodations!

[71chevellejohn]

That's where we need to book our group summer vacation, cheap accommodations!

Only if we can bring our guns.

[Alex]

the tunisian president has fled the country as of 5 minutesd ago. i would say things have been better in Tunisia.

[YALE]

lol at them banning more than 3 people in a group together outside

In Africa, no less.

[JimD]

Fuck em.

[Brandon-k]

in africa, no less.

lmao!

[The King]

Tunisia is a former French protectorate so let the French go help 'em out.

[BP]

Tunisia is a former French protectorate so let the French go help 'em out.

The Romans, Byzantines, Turks, Arabs, Nazis and even our own troops have all occupied Tunisia at some point. The French did a good job of raping them for nearly a century though.

It's definitely a problem for the UN though, no need for Americans to worry about it. Not until they decide to invade Algeria again at least.

[idrivea4banger]

The lion king will sleep tonight