Tunisia: Battle around presidential palace after deposed president Ben Ali fled
Tunisian forces are exchanging fire near the presidential palace with members of deposed President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali’s guard, reports say.
Witnesses reported heavy gunfire in Carthage, north of the capital Tunis, where the palace is located.
It comes after the ex-head of presidential security, Ali Seriati, was arrested and accused of threatening state security by fomenting violence.
Meanwhile, political leaders are holding talks about a new government.
Interim leader Foued Mebazaa, who until Saturday was the speaker of parliament, has asked Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi to form a government of national unity.