Tunisian police fire tear gas against protesters

Tunisian police fired tear gas at protesters on the streets of the capital, Tunis, on Monday morning, as people threw stones outside the prime minister's office. The clashes come exactly one week after a new Tunisian government was formed , following resident Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali's flight to Saudi Arabia.

Reuters/Zohra Bensemra

Those protesting in front of the prime minister's office came from all over rural Tunisia, and camped out in front of the building last night in defiance of the curfew.

The General Union of Tunisian Workers (UGTT), a key Tunisian trade union, has refused to recognise the newly-formed government because it is stocked with heavyweights from the Ben Ali regime.

While schools were scheduled to open on Monday, some remained closed after teachers went on strike in solidarity with the UGTT.

Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi, who has been in power since 1999, is part of the newly formed government and has refused to step down until after elections are called.