DECEMBER 2010
- 17: Mohamed Bouazizi, a 26-year-old university graduate, sets himself alight in the central Tunisian town of Sidi Bouzid in a protest over unemployment. He dies on January 5 from burn wounds.
- 19: Bouzazizi's protest touches off a wave of unrest and clashes in Sidi Bouzid.
- 24: Two are killed in clashes at Menzel Bouzayane, not far from Sidi Bouzid.
JANUARY 2011
- 8-10: More than 50 people die in three days of rioting in Tunisia's central Kasserine region, according to a trade union representative. The authorities say 21 died.
- 10: Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali slams "terrorist acts" by hoodlums but also pledges to create 300,000 extra jobs in a television address.
- 11: The first clashes take place in the capital Tunis and its suburbs, while clashes continue in Kasserine.
- 12: Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi announces the dismissal of interior minister Rafik Belhaj Kacem, the freeing of those arrested, except those involved in acts of "vandalism", and a probe into corruption.
- Several demonstrators are killed, while troops are deployed in Tunis and the residential suburb of Ettadhamen.
- The government imposes a curfew in the capital, where a rights group says eight have been killed overnight in unrest.
- The UN calls on Tunisia to launch an independent probe into the violence.
- 13: The army withdraws from Tunis, which remains occupied by special forces. One demonstrator is shot dead.
- Ben Ali says he will not seek another term in office and orders police to stop firing on protesters.
- Rioting and pillaging in the tourist station of Hammamet, 60 kilometres, or 37 miles, to the south of Tunis.
- Medical sources say 13 civilians died in security force gunfire in the Tunisian capital and its suburbs, after Ben Ali's speech on Thursday.
- The leaders of the North African branch of Al-Qaeda -- AQIM -- call for the overthrow of Ben Ali.
- 14: Thousands of protesters demand Ben Ali resign in marches across the country.
- Tourism firm Thomas Cook says it is evacuating more than 2,000 tourists from Tunisia
- Ben Ali sacks the government and calls early elections in six months
-Ben Ali declares state of emergency
-Ben Ali leaves the country, PM Mohammed Ghannouchi declares himself interim president
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