Governor to exit, Tunisia strike ends

— A Tunisian labor union suspended a nearly week-long strike Sunday in an impoverished central town after the national government agreed to remove a local governor.

More than 300 people were injured in clashes with police last week in Siliana.

The Regional Workers Union called a strike to protest the area’s economic problems, its lack of government investment and the imprisonment without trial of 14 activists.

The strike degenerated into daily clashes between stone-throwing youths and police, who responded with tear gas and buckshot.

The U.N. Human Rights Commission announced Saturday that two civilians had each lost an eye from the buckshot.

Before hundreds of supporters in Siliana, union official Ahmed Chafei announced the “provisional suspension” of the strike to “test the seriousness of the promises made by the government.”

Front Section, Pages 5 on 12/03/2012

Upcoming Events