Tunisian police used teargas on Sunday to disperse a Salafist meeting in the popular district of Ettadhamen west of the capital, the official TAP press agency reported.

Angry members of the Jihadi Salafist group, Ansar El Shariaa, threw stones at police forces, while police reinforcements were called in. So far, no injuries have been reported.

The group called for the release of their spokesman, Seifeddine Rais, who had been arrested on Sunday.

Similar clashes between Salafist youths and police were also reported in Kairouan, the report said.

Ansar El Shariaa group, whose leader is still on the run, had been banned from holding their congress in Kairouan. On Sunday, the group announced on its website the postponement of its third congress to next Sunday.

Tunisia's security has been challenged by Salafist militants who become increasingly visible on the sociopolitical scene as they continue to press for the setting up of Islamic rule (Shariaa) in the country.