Protesters in Tunisia march on parliament amid government reshuffle

Hundreds of protesters had marched from the Ettadhamen district of the capital Tunis, where young people have clashed with police several nights this month, and were joined by hundreds more near the parliament.

Iran Press/AfricaTunisian riot police turned water cannon on protesters outside the heavily barricaded parliament on Tuesday, trying to quell the largest rally since demonstrations began this month over inequality and police abuses.

Police blocked the march with barricades to prevent protesters from approaching the parliament building where lawmakers were holding a tense debate on a disputed government reshuffle, AFP reported.

"The government that only uses police to protect itself from the people – it has no more legitimacy," said one protester, Salem Ben Saleh, who is unemployed.

Later, police also barred Avenue Habib Bourguiba, the broad tree-lined boulevard that is home to the Interior Ministry and where major protests have traditionally taken place, as demonstrators tried to gather there.

On July 26, Tunisian President Qais Saeed appointed then-Tunisian Interior Minister Hichem Mechichi to form a new government.

Former Tunisian Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh was accused of corruption and resigned on July 16.

Tunisia has been facing political and security crises since 2013, most notably in political assassinations and terrorist acts.

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