The United Nations is sending a team of human rights officials to Tunisia to look into weeks of violence and advise the new coalition government, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said today.
"This team should be on the ground by next week," she told a Geneva news conference, estimating that more than 100 people have died in bloodshed linked to demonstrations which led to the ousting of president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.
Hundreds of protesters demonstrated in the Tunisian capital today to demand the dismissal from the new coalition government of ministers associated with deposed president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.
The national unity cabinet was due to hold its first meeting, with its caretaker prime minister under pressure from opposition leaders and protesters who say there is no place in government for allies of the former leader.
Four opponents of Mr Ben Ali resigned from the government within a day of being appointed, saying protesters were disappointed at how many of the old guard, including prime minister Mohamed Ghannouchi, were still in power.
Tunisian television said today 33 members of Mr Ben Ali's family had been arrested on suspicion of "crimes against Tunisia", showing images of seized gold and jewellery. "Investigations will be carried out in order for them to face justice," a statement read out on state television said, citing an "official source".
The statement apologised for not giving more details about the family members but showed gold and jewellery it said was found in their possession.
The weeks of protests over poverty and unemployment, which cost scores of lives and forced Mr Ben Ali to flee to Saudi Arabia, prompted speculation across the Arab world that other repressive governments might also face unrest.
About 500 people were protesting in Bourguiba Avenue in the center of Tunis today, fewer than in recent days.
"This will continue every day until we get rid of the ruling party," said Faydi Borni, a teacher. "We got rid of the dictator but not the dictatorship. We want rid of this government that shut us up for 30 years."
Not all Tunisians back the protests. "We've been living so long under pressure but maybe we should give the government a chance," said one woman bystander, who did not want to give her name. "People will have a chance to vote."
Tunis residents said the streets were quiet overnight, with no shooting or looting. In a sign that security was improving, state television said that the nightly curfew was shortened by three hours. It will now run from 8pm until 5am.
Moncef Marzouki, the leader of a small opposition party who returned to Tunisia from exile in France this week, visited the grave of Mohamed Bouazizi, who set fire to himself in an act of protest and started the wave of unrest which toppled Ben Ali.
Mr Marzouki, who plans to run for president, later went to the spot where Mr Bouazizi set himself on fire, outside the local government headquarters in Sidi Bouzid, where he was greeted by about 300 people who lifted him onto their shoulders.
Many of those there held up banners demanding the government be purged of people with links to Ben Ali's RCD party. "Ghannouchi must go!" said one banner. Another banner read: "The people demand that Ben Ali's people leave!"
Someone had daubed in red paint on a wall: "The square of the martyr, Mohamed Bouazizi."
Underlining international concern over Tunisia, US president Barack Obama spoke to Egyptian president Hosni pMubarak about Washington's desire for calm.
At a summit in Egypt, the head of the Arab League warned the region's leaders to heed economic and political problems that caused the upheaval in Tunisia because they were issues that affected all Arab states.
Switzerland said it was freezing the assets of Ben Ali and his entourage, widely accused of enriching themselves massively during his 23 years in power.
Tunisia's state news agency said an investigation would be launched into allegations that Mr Ben Ali, wife Leila, and members of their families had acquired property and stocks abroad. It said there would be an inquiry into the transfer of foreign currency abroad by members of his extended family.
The government says at least 78 people were killed in the unrest and the cost in damage and lost business was estimated at $2 billion.
France said it had intercepted a shipment of riot gear, including tear gas canisters and bullet-proof vests, ordered by Ben Ali just before his downfall.
Reuters