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Gunshots rang out and police fired teargas to disperse protesters demanding the resignation of Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali on Friday after the worst unrest of his two decades in power.

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Rioters kick a policeman during clashes with the police in the capital Tunis Jan. 14, 2011.ZOHRA BENSEMRA

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Rioters burn a police officer's hat during clashes with the police in the capital Tunis Jan. 14, 2011.ZOHRA BENSEMRA

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Tunisian soldiers try to calm down rioters during clashes with the police in downtown of the capital TunisZOHRA BENSEMRA

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A Tunisian soldier and rioters look at a rioter who lost consciousness after tear gas was released during clashes with the police in downtown of the capital TunisZOHRA BENSEMRA

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A photo taken from Channel 7 shows Tunisian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi, centre, addressing the nation on state television on Jan. 14, 2011, that he had taken over as interim president after Zine El Abidine Ben Ali had left the country.MLADEN ANTONOV

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A picture taken on Dec. 13, 2010, shows Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali at Tunis-Carthage airport.FETHI BELAID/AFP / Getty Images

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Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi delivers a speech at the Chamber of Deputies in Tunis during an extraordinary session aiming at assessing the current situation in Tunisia on Jan. 13, 2011. He announced on state television the next day that he had taken over as interim president after Zine El Abidine Ben Ali had left the country.FETHI BELAID/AFP / Getty Images

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Rioters carry a crying woman during clashes with the police in the capital Tunis Jan. 14, 2011.ZOHRA BENSEMRA

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Tunisian demonstrators stand upon railings outside the Interior ministry in Tunis on Jan. 14, 2011.FETHI BELAID/AFP / Getty Images

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A security force offcier fires teargas shells from a roadblock towards demonstrators on a street in Tunis on Jan. 14, 2011.FETHI BELAID/AFP / Getty Images

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Demonstrators scatter after police officers use tear gas during a protest in Tunis, Friday, Jan. 14, 2011.Christophe Ena

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A Tunisian woman waves the national flag in front of the interior ministry during clashes between demonstrators and security forces in Tunis on Jan. 14, 2011.FETHI BELAID

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A Tunisian demonstrator throws a rock during clashes with security forces on Mohamed V avenue in Tunisia on Jan. 14, 2011 after Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's address to the nation.FETHI BELAID

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Tunisians demonstrators clash with security forces in Tunis on Jan. 14, 2011, after Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's address to the nation. Police fired massive volleys of tear gas and deployed troops in Tunisia today to disperse thousands of demonstrators calling for the president to step down.FETHI BELAID

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Smoke rises from fire left after clashes between security forces and demonstrators in Tunisia on Jan. 14, 2011 after Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's address to the nation.FETHI BELAID

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Tunisian security forces personnel walk past a burning motorcycle during clashes with demonstrators in Mohamed V avenue in Tunisia after Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's address to the nation on Jan.14, 2011.FETHI BELAID

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Tunisian demonstrators throw rocks during clashes with security forces in front of the interior ministery in Tunis on Jan. 14, 2011.FETHI BELAID

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Soldiers on an armoured vehicle stand in front of demonstrators on Mohamed V avenue in Tunisia on Jan. 14, 2011.FETHI BELAID

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Tunisian demonstors gather in front of the interior ministry in Tunis demanding President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to resign on Jan. 14, 2011.FETHI BELAID

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Tunisian security forces personnel block the road during clashes with demonstrators in Mohammed V avenue in Tunisia after Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's address to the nation on Jan. 14, 2011.FETHI BELAID

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Protesters shout slogans as they demonstrate against Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali in Tunisia Jan. 14, 2011.STR/Reuters

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Demonstrators hold placards reading "Ben Ali get out" in Tunis, Friday, Jan. 14, 2011. Thousands of angry demonstrators marched through Tunisia's capital Friday, demanding the resignation of the country's autocratic leaderChristophe Ena

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