Tunisia political crisis deepens after assassination

BBC's Sihem Hassaini: "We can see a lot of police in downtown Tunis barricading protesters"

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Tunisian rebirth

• Revolution in danger
• Three faces of the new Tunisia
• In pictures: Ben Ali riches sold
• Dying for a job

Tunisia's political crisis is deepening after the assassination of a leading opposition leader earlier this week.

The killing of anti-Islamist politician Chokri Belaid sparked violent protests. The prime minister then announced plans for a new, technocratic government.

But the ruling Islamist party Ennahda rejected the move, saying Hamadi Jebali "did not ask the opinion of his party".

Meanwhile, police have fired tear gas to disperse protesters in Tunis and in the central town of Gafsa.

The Gafsa demonstrators, who were observing a symbolic funeral for Chokri Belaid, rallied outside the governor's office, throwing stones and petrol bombs at the police.

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Analysis

Wyre DaviesBBC News, Tunis

As riot police fired tear gas towards angry youths on Bourghiba Avenue, the scene was disturbingly reminiscent of what happened on this very avenue two years ago. Even the chanting was the same: "We want the downfall of the regime."

Many outsiders believed the Tunisian "Jasmine" uprising had the best chance of building a vibrant new democracy, among all the other subsequent Arab revolutions. But, as in Egypt, more liberal and secular Tunisians are discovering that democracy is not so easily won.

The murder of Chokri Belaid may have come as a shock to most Tunisians, but there have been underlying tensions here for months. The situation across Tunisia is highly charged ahead of tomorrow