Tunisia's state news agency says President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has decided to dismiss his government following massive riots. 
 
 Protestors hold a banner reading "Ben Ali get out", calling for the resignation of Tunisia's President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, in the capital, Tunis, Friday, Jan. 14,2011. Thousands of angry demonstrators... (Associated Press) 
 
 Protesters chanted slogans against President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali during a demonstration in Tunis, Friday, Jan. 14, 2011. Thousands of angry demonstrators marched through Tunisia's capital Friday,... (Associated Press) 
 
 Protesters chant slogans against President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in Tunis, Friday, Jan. 14, 2011. Demonstrators marched through the Tunisian capital Friday, demanding the resignation of the country's... (Associated Press) 
 
 Demonstrators hold placards reading "Ben Ali get out" in Tunis, Friday, Jan. 14, 2011. Thousands of angry demonstrators marched through Tunisia's capital Friday, demanding the resignation of the country's... (Associated Press) 
 
 Tunisian police officers guard the Interior Ministry as thousands of demonstrators are gathered in front of the building calling for the resignation of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in Tunis, Friday,... (Associated Press) 
 
 Protesters chant slogans against President Zine El Abidine Ben Aliin during a demonstration in Tunis, Friday, Jan. 14, 2011. Thousands of angry demonstrators marched through Tunisia's capital Friday,... (Associated Press) 
 
 Protesters chant slogans against President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali during a demonstration in Tunis, Friday, Jan. 14, 2011. Thousands of angry demonstrators marched through Tunisia's capital Friday, demanding... (Associated Press) 
 
 A protester kisses the Tunisian flag as he demonstrates against President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in Tunis, Friday, Jan. 14, 2011. Thousands of angry demonstrators marched through Tunisia's capital Friday,... (Associated Press) 
 
 A armored vehicle guards a street in Tunis next to a photo of Tunisia's President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, during a demonstration, Friday, Jan. 14, 2011. Thousands of angry demonstrators marched through... (Associated Press) 
 
 A woman protester chants slogans against Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Aliin, in Tunis, Friday, Jan. 14, 2011. Thousands of angry demonstrators marched through Tunisia's capital Friday, demanding... (Associated Press) 
 
 Protesters chant slogans against President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in Tunis, Friday, Jan. 14, 2011. Thousands of angry demonstrators marched through Tunisia's capital Friday, demanding the resignation... (Associated Press) 
 
 A demonstrator holds a placard reading "Ben Ali get out" in Tunis, Friday, Jan. 14, 2011. Thousands of angry demonstrators marched through Tunisia's capital Friday, demanding the resignation of the country's... (Associated Press) 
 
 Supporters of Tunisia's President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali demonstrate in Tunis, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011. Tunisia's autocratic president, facing deadly riots that have rocked his nation, ordered prices... (Associated Press) 
 
 Supporters of Tunisia's President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali demonstrate in Tunis, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011. Tunisia's autocratic president, facing deadly riots that have rocked his nation, ordered prices... (Associated Press) 
 
 Supporters of Tunisia's President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali demonstrate in Tunis, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011. Tunisia's autocratic president, facing deadly riots that have rocked his nation, ordered prices... (Associated Press) 
 
 Supporters of Tunisia's President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali demonstrate in Tunis, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011. Tunisia's autocratic president, facing deadly riots that have rocked his nation, ordered prices... (Associated Press) 
 
 Supporters of Tunisia's President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali demonstrate in Tunis, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011. Tunisia's autocratic president, facing deadly riots that have rocked his nation, ordered prices... (Associated Press) 
 
 Supporters of Tunisia's President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali demonstrate in Tunis, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011. Tunisia's autocratic president, facing deadly riots that have rocked his nation, ordered prices... (Associated Press) 
 
 A protester waves the Tunisian flag as he watches a demonstration against President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, in Tunis, Friday, Jan. 14, 2011. Thousands of angry demonstrators marched through Tunisia's... (Associated Press) 
 
 Supporters of Tunisia's President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali demonstrate in Tunis, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011. Tunisia's autocratic president, facing deadly riots that have rocked his nation, ordered prices... (Associated Press) 
 
 Supporters of Tunisia's President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali demonstrate in Tunis, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011. Tunisia's autocratic president, facing deadly riots that have rocked his nation, ordered prices... (Associated Press) 
 
 Protesters shout slogans against President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali as they hold boards reading "Ben Ali get out" in Tunis, Friday, Jan. 14, 2011. Thousands of angry demonstrators marched through Tunisia's... (Associated Press) 
 
 A protester with a Tunisian flag shouts slogans against President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in Tunis, Friday, Jan. 14, 2011. Thousands of angry demonstrators marched through Tunisia's capital Friday, demanding... (Associated Press) 
 
 A protester holding a torn poster reading "Ben Ali get out" demonstrates in Tunis, Friday, Jan. 14, 2011. Thousands of angry demonstrators marched through Tunisia's capital Friday, demanding the resignation... (Associated Press) 
 
 Demonstrators hold boardS reading "Ben Ali get out" in Tunis, Friday, Jan. 14, 2011. Thousands of angry demonstrators marched through Tunisia's capital Friday, demanding the resignation of the country's... (Associated Press) 
 
 Supporters of Tunisia's President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali demonstrate in Tunis, Thursday, Jan. 13, 2011. Tunisia's autocratic president, facing deadly riots that have rocked his nation, ordered prices... (Associated Press) 
 
 The TAP news agency report also says the president plans to call early legislative elections in six months. 
 
 Friday's announcement comes as Tunisian police fired rounds of tear gas at thousands of protesters in the capital. Some demonstrators climbed atop the roof of the Interior Ministry, a symbol of the iron-fisted government they want to oust. 
 
 The demonstrators were marching through Tunis to demand the resignation of the country's autocratic leader. Many shouted "Ben Ali, out!" and "Ben Ali, assassin!" 
 
 THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below. 
 
 TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) _ Tunisian police fired rounds of tear gas at thousands of protesters in the capital Friday after some climbed atop the roof of the Interior Ministry, a symbol of the iron-fisted government they want to oust. 
 
 The demonstrators were marching through Tunis to demand the resignation of the country's autocratic leader, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali. Many shouted "Ben Ali, out!" and "Ben Ali, assassin!" Another poster read "We won't forget," a reference to the rioters killed, many by police bullets. 
 
 Crowds sang the national anthem, fists in the air. 
 
 "We want to end this dictatorship," said Wadia Amar, a university chemistry professor. "The Ben Ali clan should be brought to justice. They've taken everything." 
 
 Hundreds of police with shields and riot gear blocked the avenue Friday in front of the Interior Ministry, where over the years there have been reports of torture. The march was organized by Tunisia's only legal trade union, which also went ahead with a symbolic two-hour strike. 
 
 Plainclothes policemen were seen kicking unarmed protesters and beating them with batons. 
 
 Thousands of tourists, meanwhile, were evacuated from the North African tourist haven amid growing unrest. 
 
 Pent-up anger at high unemployment and at a leadership many see as controlling and corrupt has exploded into riots in the past few weeks. 
 
 "A month ago, we didn't believe this uprising was possible," said Beya Mannai, a geology professor at the University of Tunis. "But the people rose up." 
 
 Ben Ali, 74, has maintained an iron grip on Tunisia since grabbing power 23 years ago in a bloodless coup, repressing any challenges. He has locked up many opposition figures, clamped down on dissent and kept tight control over the media but has not been able to resolve the country's rising unemployment, officially at nearly 14 percent, but higher for educated youths. 
 
 The riots began after an educated but jobless 26-year-old committed suicide when police confiscated the fruits and vegetables he was selling without a permit. 
 
 The official death toll in the riots is 23, but opposition leaders put the figure at three times that, and medical workers on Friday reported another 13 new deaths and over 50 injuries from late Thursday alone. 
 
 U.S. diplomatic cables released by WikiLeaks have described the corruption in Tunisia, and social networks like Facebook have helped spread the comments. Many ordinary Tunisians who have complained of corruption for years felt vindicated to see the U.S. cables. 
 
 The unrest was taking a heavy toll on the key tourism industry in Tunisia, which is known for its wide sandy beaches, desert landscape, ancient ruins and bustling bazaars. 
 
 British tour operator Thomas Cook said it was asking its roughly 3,800 British, Irish, and German customers in Tunisia to leave the country, while some 200 Dutch tourists were repatriated Thursday night via a chartered flight. 
 
 U.S. and European governments have issued a series of travel alerts warning citizens away from nonessential travel to Tunisia. 
 
 The unrest was having diplomatic consequences as well. 
 
 Tunisia's ambassador to the U.N. cultural and educational agency resigned amid the deadly riots. Mezri Haddad, ambassador to Paris-based UNESCO, said on France's BFM television Friday, "I am resigning today." 
 
 He said he is resigning because he doesn't want to contribute to something that "is the opposite of my convictions and my conscience." 
 
 An unusually contrite Ben Ali went on television Thursday, making sweeping pledges for political and media freedom. He also promised to leave the presidency when his term ends in 2014, and ordered prices on sugar, milk and bread slashed. 
 
 After he spoke, thousands filled the main tree-lined Avenue Bourguiba, cheering "Long live Ben Ali!" honking horns and waving flags. 
 
 Many people demonstrating Friday claimed the pro-Ben Ali rally on Thursday _ which broke a government-imposed curfew _ was staged by the powerful ruling RCD party, which paid jobless youths to participate. They claimed many of the cars that cruised the avenue, some with passengers standing on the car roofs, bore the blue license plates of rented vehicles. 
 
 "That was all prepared in advance," said Haitem Ouerghemi, 30, a call center worker. "It was a Hollywood scene." 
 
 In a country with a tightly controlled media, Friday's French-language daily Le Temps touted Ben Ali's speech as a "historic turning point." 
 
 "After the blood and desolation, happiness and, once again, hope," the paper said in red on its front page. ||||| Tunisia's interim president chose a former government minister as a new prime minister on Sunday, appealing for a return to calm following new violent protests that have been hobbling this North African country since the ouster of its long-time autocratic leader. 
 
 In this undated photo is the newly named Tunisian Prime Minister Beji Caid-Essebsi. Tunisia's interim president has named former government minister Beji Caid-Essebsi as the country's new prime minister... (Associated Press) 
 
 A Tunisian riot police officer kicks a anti-government protester during a demonstration, in Tunis, Sunday Feb. 27, 2011. Tunisia's embattled prime minister said Sunday that he will resign, bowing to a... (Associated Press) 
 
 Anti-government protesters lay on the ground after being apprehended by Tunisian soldier during a demonstration, in Tunis, Sunday Feb. 27, 2011. Tunisia's embattled prime minister said Sunday that he... (Associated Press) 
 
 Anti-government protesters are seen behind a barricade during a demonstration, in Tunis, Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011. Tunisia's embattled prime minister said Sunday that he will resign, bowing to a key demand... (Associated Press) 
 
 A Tunisian riot police officer escorts away an anti-government protester during a demonstration, in Tunis, Sunday Feb. 27, 2011. Tunisia's embattled prime minister said Sunday that he will resign, bowing... (Associated Press) 
 
 Tear gas smoke is seen during a anti government protest, in Tunis, Sunday Feb. 27, 2011. Tunisia's embattled prime minister said Sunday that he will resign, bowing to a key demand of protesters after... (Associated Press) 
 
 Tunisia'S former Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi, center, is seen with Tunisia'S Interior Minister Farhat Rajhi, left, and Gen. Rachid Ammar, right, after his resignation's annouNcement in Tunis, Sunday... (Associated Press) 
 
 Tunisian President Fouad Mebazaa announces the new Tunisian Prime Minister during a press conference, in Tunis, Sunday Feb. 27, 2011. Mebazaa named former government minister Beji Caid-Essebsi as prime... (Associated Press) 
 
 Tunisian riot police officers arrest antigovernment protesters during a demonstration, in Tunis, Sunday Freb. 27, 2011. Tunisia's embattled prime minister said Sunday that he will resign, bowing to a... (Associated Press) 
 
 Tunisian riot police officers are seen during a antigovernment protest, in Tunis, Sunday Feb. 27, 2011. Tunisia's embattled prime minister said Sunday that he will resign, bowing to a key demand of protesters... (Associated Press) 
 
 Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi gestures as he announces his resignation during a press conference in Tunis, Sunday Feb. 27, 2011. Tunisia's embattled prime minister said Sunday that he will... (Associated Press) 
 
 Tear gas smoke is seen during an anti-government protest, in Tunis, Sunday Feb. 27, 2011. Tunisia's embattled prime minister said Sunday that he will resign, bowing to a key demand of protesters after... (Associated Press) 
 
 Tunisian former Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi, right, hugs the Tunisian Interior Minister Farhat Rajhi, left, after his resignation's annoucement in Tunis, Sunday Freb. 27, 2011. Ghannouchi's announcement... (Associated Press) 
 
 Beji Caid-Essebsi will replace Mohammed Ghannouchi, who resigned earlier Sunday after becoming a major irritant to Tunisians behind the so-called "Jasmine Revolution" that toppled autocratic President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali last month and sparked a wave of upheaval in the Arab world. 
 
 The caretaker president, Fouad Mebazaa, made the appointment later Sunday. 
 
 As Ben Ali's prime minister for 11 years, Ghannouchi became the emblem of an entrenched old guard that many Tunisians feared were hijacking their revolution. 
 
 It was not immediately clear how much the shake-up would mollify the protesters in Tunisia, at a time when its leaders are attempting to rebuild its tourism industry and cope with an influx of Tunisians and others fleeing from violence in neighboring Libya. 
 
 The change in the government's leadership follows renewed street protests. Officials said that at least five people have died in violent street protests since Friday. 
 
 Ghannouchi had previously vowed to stay on to guide Tunisia until elections could be organized this summer. 
 
 As he stepped down, Ghannouchi sought to take the high ground. 
 
 "This (resignation) is not a flight from my responsibilities, but to open the way for another prime minister who _ I hope _ will have more margin for action than I have had, to give hope to the Tunisian people," he said. 
 
 "I am not ready to be the man of repression, and I will never be," Ghannouchi said, warning that unspecified forces appeared to be swelling to try to quash the move toward democracy. 
 
 Caid-Essebsi is an elderly statesman and lawyer who served in government posts under the Tunisia's two longtime leaders since it gained independence from France in 1956: Habib Bourguiba and Ben Ali. 
 
 Ben Ali was driven from power on Jan. 14 and fled to Saudi Arabia following weeks of a deadly popular uprising that has fanned similar upheaval across the Arab world. 
 
 Some Tunisians believe that Ben Ali loyalists in the country have sought to sow discord and discredit the movement that brought the former authoritarian leader down. 
 
 "There needs to be reconciliation among all Tunisians to show the world that Tunisia is a civilized country," Ghannouchi said. "My resignation will help create this new atmosphere." 
 
 The Interior Ministry, in a statement Saturday, blamed "provocateurs" for fomenting violence in otherwise peaceful rallies and for allegedly using young people as human shields in renewed demonstrations. 
 
 On Saturday, police and troops backed by tanks used tear gas to disperse hundreds of youths protesting against the caretaker government. Officers were seen chasing some youths through town after the rally ended. 
 
 Authorities then ordered a temporarily ban on vehicle and pedestrian traffic on the capital's central Bourguiba Avenue until midnight Sunday _ the first of its kind since Ben Ali's downfall. 
 
 On Friday, police fired tear gas and warning shots as violence erupted alongside a sit-in that drew tens of thousands of protesters near the seat of the interim government. 
 
 Officials said nearly 200 people were arrested over the last two days. ||||| Image caption Mohammed Ghannouchi was seen as too closely linked to the old regime 
 
 Tunisian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi has announced on state TV that he is resigning - a key demand of demonstrators. 
 
 He was speaking at a news conference in Tunis, after making a lengthy speech defending his record in government. 
 
 Mr Ghannouchi is seen as being too close to former President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, who was toppled in an uprising last month. 
 
 Mr Ghannouchi, 69, had served under Mr Ben Ali since 1989. 
 
 "After having taken more than one week of thinking, I became convinced, and my family shared my conviction, and decided to resign. It is not fleeing my responsibilities; I have been shouldering my responsibilities since 14 January [when Mr Ben Ali fled]," he said. 
 
 "I am not ready to be the person who takes decisions that would end up causing casualties," he added. 
 
 "This resignation will serve Tunisia, and the revolution and the future of Tunisia," he added. 
 
 At the scene It is exactly what the protesters had been demanding. Mohammed Ghannouchi, had served under the country's old dictatorship, and as far as they were concerned, until he went, their revolution was unfinished. The question now is whether this resignation will be enough to quell the violence. As the news has spread, people have been taking to the streets, chanting and singing of victory. 
 
 Within hours a replacement was named for Mr Ghannouchi - Beji Caid-Essebsi, 84, who served as foreign minister in the government of the late President Habib Bourguiba. 
 
 Earlier in the day, police in Tunis fired tear gas and warning shots to disperse the latest demonstration calling for a new government and a new constitution on a third day of violence. 
 
 Huge protests 
 
 On Friday and Saturday, anti-government protesters held huge rallies calling for Mr Ghannouchi's resignation. 
 
 At least three people were killed in clashes between hundreds of demonstrators and security forces in Tunis on Saturday. 
 
 Tunisia's government had insisted it was introducing reforms as fast as it could, and that it was planning to hold elections by July. 
 
 Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption The BBC's Paul Moss in Tunis: "Police are giving protesters merciless beatings" 
 
 But those promises did not seem to satisfy the protesters, correspondents say. 
 
 The fall of Mr Ben Ali after 23 years in power sparked similar uprisings in the Arab world, including one that led to the downfall of long-time Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak on 11 February and another under way in Libya. 
 
 The trigger for the protests in Tunisia was a desperate act by a young unemployed man on 17 December 2010. 
 
 Mohammed Bouazizi set fire to himself when officials in his town prevented him from selling vegetables on the streets of Sidi Bouzid without permission.
– Amid huge riots over poverty, Tunisia’s president has decided to dismiss his government, the AP reports. President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali intends to call legislative elections in 6 months, earlier than planned. Meanwhile, thousands of protesters calling for Ben Ali’s resignation continued to demonstrate in the capital, prompting police to fire tear gas and lash out with clubs. Twelve were killed in riots last night, NPR reports. Thousands of tourists have been evacuated. Ben Ali has said he’ll quit, but not until 2014; and in a speech last night, he promised to stop using live ammunition against the demonstrators. But these pledges haven’t soothed protesters in the biggest riots since Ben Ali took power 23 years ago, notes the New York Times. Instead, they seemed invigorated by the pledge. Today’s demonstration was the first to include many women, very few of whom wore veils, the Times reports.