READING: Tunisia President Runs from Unrest.

WHAT IS HAPPENING IN TUNISIA?? READ THIS ARTICLE AND WRITE A COMMENT GIVING YOUR OPINION OR A SUMMARY OF WHAT YOU HAVE READ.

Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali has run away to Saudi Arabia with his family. He was in power for 23 years but has become increasingly more unpopular. The 74-year-old leader knew his time was up after a month of street protests against him. Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi took over as temporary president and declared a state of emergency. Dozens of people have died in the past two months in the demonstrations. People are unhappy because there are no jobs, prices are rising and they see corruption everywhere.
One Tunisian, 26-year-old graduate Mohamed Bouazizi, set fire to himself in front of riot police. He later died from his injuries. His death made the Tunisian people more determined to remove Mr. Ben Ali from power. The number of people protesting in the streets increased after Mr. Bouazizi’s death, and the police shot more protestors. State officials say 23 people died, but protestors say that number is nearer 60. Mr. Ghannouchi hopes to restore calm to the streets. Some experts believe the unrest will spread to neighbouring countries.