TUNISIA CRISISA military tank is seen in the streets of Tunis , Tunisia , 18 January 2011 . Tunisian protesters called for the abolition of ousted president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali ' s ruling party on January 17 amid a chaotic power vacuum as politicians prepared a government of national unity . Hundreds of people rallied in Tunis and there were similar protests in Sidi Bouzid and Regueb in central Tunisia -- two towns at the heart of the movement that forced Ben Ali to resign and flee on Friday after 23 years in power . EPA / STRINGER < 뉴스 의 새 시대 , 연합뉴스 Live > < 모바일 애플리케이션 > < 포토 매거진 >< 저작권자 ( c ) 연합뉴스 . 무단 전재 - 재배 포금 지 . >