Tunisian police clash with protesters

A confrontation between police and demonstrators

in Tunis, January 26, 2011.

Tunisian police have clashed with hundreds of protesters camping out in front of the office of the ousted dictator's right hand man.

Several people were injured in capital Tunis after police fired tear gas at demonstrators who tried to force a police barrier.

The protesters demanded that interim Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi and other members of the former ruling party resign.

A powerful workers' union has also called a general strike to force the interim government's resignation. Teachers and students have started an open-ended strike to join the street protests.

Ghannouchi had earlier said he would resign after elections within six months.

Tunisia's ambassador to Japan has resigned in solidarity with the revolution.

Former president Zein El Abidine Ben Ali's 23 years of dictatorship, which was marred by repeated human rights violations and torture, ended earlier this month after weeks of street protests.

Earlier Wednesday, the interim government issued an international arrest warrant against the ousted leader and his family members.

The justice ministry says Ben Ali and other members are accused of illegally acquiring assets and transferring funds abroad during their rule over the North African country.

"No one will be above the law," Justice Minister Lazhar Karoui Chebbi said.

Officials say at least 33 members of Ben Ali's family have already been arrested in Tunisia.

A prominent political analyst says the Tunisian political factions have to observe the rules of a democratic system to avoid a post-revolution dictatorship.

"The last thing that the Tunisian people need to do is to create a new king," political analyst Mohammad Oweis said in an interview with Press TV.

Oweis warned Tunisian opposition groups against adopting autocratic approaches in the existing power equations in the North African state.

JR/PKH/AKM

o