Tunisia Braces For Strikes And Protests

The murder of Chokri Belaid has sparked fresh unrest in Tunisia with tensions expected to rise today as the opposition politician is buried.

Strikes and protests are planned later today in Tunisia as the funeral is held for an assassinated opposition politician.

Chokri Belaid was shot by a gunman as he left home for work on February 6 in Tunis.

His killing has sparked protests in Tunis and other cities.

On February 7, a crowd set fire to the headquarters of Ennahda, the Islamist party of Prime Minister Hamdi Jebali.

On February 6, Jebali said he would dissolve the government, and install a non-partisan cabinet of technocrats in a bid to ease tensions.

But his coalition partners oppose the move.

Analysts say Tunisia is plagued by tensions between the dominant Islamists and their secular opponents. There is also growing disillusionment with the lack of progress since the overthrow of dictator Zine el-Abidine ben Ali in January 2011.

Based on AP and Reuters reporting