Tunisian authorities extend state of emergency, orders end to nationwide curfew

Tunisian authorities extended a state of emergency imposed as president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled a month ago but ordered an end to a nationwide curfew, the official TAP news agency reported on Tuesday.

The interior ministry also warned in a statement against attempts to sow discord between the police and army and condemned protests by extremists, the news agency said.

"To prevent anything that may harm the security of the state and to ensure the security of citizens and protection of public and private goods, it was decided to extend the state of emergency from Tuesday February 15 until further notice," the statement noted.

The interior ministry also said the nationwide curfew, in force since January 12 at the height of the popular revolt against Ben Ali, was being lifted across the country. It also called for the police to be vigilant against "desperate attempts" to stir conflict between them and the army, which had sided with the protestors.