World | Tunisia Riots Break Out as Tunisia Ministers Quit Government in crisis a day after it formed By Newser Editors and Wire Services Posted Jan 18, 2011 9:28 AM CST Copied A protestor faces soldiers during a demonstration against the Constitutional Democratic Rally, RCD, party of Ben Ali in the center of Tunis, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2011. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) Tunisia's day-old government was shaken by the resignation of four ministers today, undermining its hopes of quelling simmering unrest by sharing power with members of the opposition to the old regime. All four who resigned were opponents of deposed President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's iron-fisted 23-year rule, and protesters demanded that the new cabinet be purged of the old guard that served Ben Ali. Three of the ministers are members of a top labor union, a movement that acts like a lobby and has a big nationwide base to mobilize people around the country. The group's supporters staged the protest in central Tunis today, calling for a general strike, constitutional changes, and the release of all imprisoned union leaders. Clashes broke out after the resignations were announced, with riot police pummeling protesters with batons and shooting tear gas into the crowds. Read These Next Guests find summit document on hotel printer. The vinyl tracklist can be very different from what you know. This is why you never rappel down a waterfall alone. Sudden, intense cloudbursts leave at least 300 dead. Report an error