Amnesty tells Tunisia to protect protesters 

 London, 11 Jan – (ANA) - Amnesty International has urged the Tunisian authorities to ensure the safety of anti-government protesters after security forces reportedly killed at least 23 people in protests over the weekend.

 "The authorities must urgently ensure the safety of protesters and instruct

security forces to act with restraint and not to use excessive force against

them," said Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Amnesty International’s Middle East and North Africa Deputy Director.

 Security forces opened fire at demonstrators in the cities of Thala, Kasserine and Regueb, central Tunisia, in an increasingly violent crackdown on protesters angry at existing living conditions, unemployment and corruption. (ANA)

FA/ANA/11 January 2011---------