Tunisians take to streets calling for the cabinet resignation.

Rallies in the Tunisian capital resume for the fifth day outside prime minister's offices on Thursday, as the interim government prepared a crucial shake-up in response to calls for a clean break with the old regime.

Thousands also took to the streets of Sidi Bouzid, a town in central Tunisia where demonstrations against ex-president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's 23-year regime began last month and grew into a national uprising.
"No to the theft of the revolution! Yes to the resignation of the government!" chanted the protesters, some of whom waved Tunisian flags, as the town held a general strike in a bid to up pressure on the country's leadership.

Tunisia's main trade union, the General Union of Tunisian Workers (UGTT), which played an instrumental role in the movement against Ben Ali, has refused to recognize the caretaker government put in place in the wake of the president's ouster on January 14.

UGTT officials said they were meeting on Thursday to take a "final decision" on whether or not to accept the government, which is preparing the country's first democratic elections but has been clouded by controversy.
Tunisia's government has moved quickly to grant unprecedented democratic freedoms, including lifting strict controls on the media, releasing political prisoners and legalising previously banned political parties.

It has also issued an international arrest warrant for Ben Ali and members of his once all-powerful family, which has been relayed by Interpol, on charges of illegal transfers of funds broad and illicit acquisition of assets.

Ben Ali has sought refuge in Saudi Arabia, which says he can stay as long as he does not engage in any political activity. Thirty-three family members have been arrested in Tunisia and others have scattered across the globe.