Tunisa appoints Foued Mebazaa Interim leader following riots

Tunisia swore in a new interim leader late yesterday as looting and deadly jail riots rocked the African country, a day after President Ben Ali was swept from power.



Parliament Speaker Foued Mebazaa took the oath of office, pledging a unity government that could include the opposition.



However, the BBC reported yesterday that fires were burning out of control in the capital city, Tunis, and that there was celebratory gunfire after Mr Ben Ali’s fled to Saudi Arabia.



Two persons were reported to have been shot dead by soldiers guarding major roadways and buildings.



The BBC’s Adam Mynott said looting and theft is rampant and the immediate future of the country is in the hands of the military.