Tunisian interim authorities ordered on Sunday to shorten the curfew by one hour as the security situation seems to have improved in the North African country following the deadly anti-government riots.
The Tunisian government declared the state of emergency in the country last week and imposed curfew from 6 p.m. (1700 GMT) to 6 a.m. (0500 GMT), citing "disturbances, pillaging and attacks against people and property."
Now the curfew will last until 5 a.m. (0400 GMT). Gatherings of more than three people are still banned on the streets and national security forces are authorized to fire on anyone who refuses to obey orders.
Tunisian police arrested on Sunday ex-president's security chief, Ali El Seriati, on suspicion of trying to undermine security, provoking clashes among the country's citizens and being behind killings and robberies, Al Jazeera television said.
Tunisia plunged into chaos in mid-December, when thousands of people took to the streets to protest the state's economic policies. So far, more than 70 people have been killed and hundreds have been hurt in the riots.
Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled his country after anti-government protests, dubbed the Jasmine Revolution, turned violent on Friday. Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi then took over as Tunisia's interim leader.
However, following the protests against the country's new leader Tunisia's Constitutional Council on Saturday declared parliament speaker Foued Mebazaa as the country's new interim president. The council called for early presidential elections in 60 days.
CAIRO, January 16 (RIA Novosti)
