Tunisia extends state of emergency for another month

PanARMENIAN.Net - Tunisia's presidency says the state of emergency in the country has been extended for another month ahead of the start of the new school year over fears of increased violence, AP reports.

Presidential spokesman Imed Daimi said that the move was made despite an improvement in the country's security situation.

It is the eighth time that the state of emergency - which gives police and army the power to open fire on protesters — has been renewed since it was put in place following a popular uprising that overthrew long-ruling dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali a year and a half ago.

Over the last few weeks, there have been several cases of ultraconservative religious youth, known as Salafis, attacking arts festivals in the North African country for being impious.