Tunisian capital overnight curfew lifted after improvement in security situation

An overnight curfew imposed on the Tunisian capital this month after several days of unrest has been lifted on Wednesday.

The curfew imposed on May 7 was scrapped after "an improvement in the security situation in Tunis and its suburbs and to protect the economic interests of citizens", the interior ministry said in a statement.

The curfew initially ran from 9:00 pm to 5:00 am and the government said it was intended to curb "violence and pillaging" after youths, some armed with knives, chains and Molotov cocktails, attacked police posts. It was eased this past weekend to run from midnight to 4:00 am.

Announcing the lifting of the curfew, the ministry also urged people "to remain vigilant and help the internal security forces and national army ... to contribute to the preservation of the security of the country".