Protesters have not been satisfied by the prime minister's pledge to quit after elections Sunday, 23 January 2011
Marchers add to Tunisia pressure
Protesters have not been satisfied by the prime minister's pledge to quit after elections A protest march against Tunisia's interim government has reached the capital, adding to pressure on Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi.
Some 1,000 demonstrators from the rural area where protests against Tunisia's authoritarian rule began had joined the "Caravan of Liberation" to Tunis.
They want the resignation of Mr Ghannouchi, who served under ousted President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, and has pledged to quit after elections.
A vote is expected within six months.
The main trade union, the General Tunisian Workers' Union (UGTT), has backed the caravan protest, which set off on Saturday from Menzel Bouzaiane - the town where the first victim of the uprising was killed by security forces in December.
"The aim of this caravan is to make the government fall," said Rabia Slimane, a teacher taking part in the caravan protest.
A final day of mourning is being observed on Sunday for those killed in the unrest that led to last week's toppling of Mr Ben Ali, amid speculation as to whether Tunisian unrest could spread to other countries.
In Algeria, police broke up an anti-government demonstration on Saturday by about 300 protesters calling for greater freedoms. There were also protests in Yemen against the rule of President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Mr Ghannouchi has left Mr Ben Ali's ruling Democratic Constitutional Rally (RCD) party and insisted that figures from the previous regime who have remained in positions of power - including the ministers of defence, interior, finance and foreign affairs - have "clean hands".
But this has failed to satisfy many opposition figures and protesters.
Fall from power17 Dec: Man sets himself on fire in Sidi Bouzid over lack of jobs, sparking protests24 Dec: Protester shot dead in central Tunisia28 Dec: Protests spread to Tunis8-10 Jan: Dozens of deaths reported in crackdown on protests12 Jan: Interior minister sacked13 Jan: President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali promises to step down in 201414 Jan: Mr Ben Ali dissolves parliament after new mass rally, then steps down and flees15 Jan: Parliamentary Speaker Foued Mebazaa sworn in as interim president
On Saturday, policemen - who had defended the regime of the ousted president - were among those protesting, which the BBC's Magdi Abdelhadi in the Tunisian capital says marked a very dramatic development.
The official death toll during the unrest leading to Mr Ben Ali's flight was 78, though the UN says more than 100 people died. Authorities have promised to investigate the deaths of protesters.
Primary school teachers were reported to be planning a strike against the current government, which could hamper plans to reopen schools and universities this week. They have been closed since the final days of the unrest.
Protests against Mr Ben Ali's government began in December, driven by economic grievances and resentment about political repression.
Particular anger was directed at the former president's family, widely despised for its conspicuous consumption and perceived corruption.
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