20110125
Xinhua
TUNIS, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia's interim government will compensate the families of victims in the protests that led to the overthrow of ex-president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, said the minister of local development in the interim government.

A total of 500 million Tunisian dinars (about 350 million U.S. dollars) have been allocated for the compensation, private Hannibal TV quoted Local Development Minister Nejib Chebbi as saying.

Chebbi, leader and one of the founders of the opposition Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), said that the compensation will be swiftly distributed to the families, adding that a 150- dinar (about 110 U.S. dollars) monthly allowance will also be granted to the unemployed.

The move came as a sit-in by scores of young protestors against the unity government was held on Monday at the Kasbah in front of the Prime Minister's office. The protestors who came as part of a "liberation caravan" from Tunisia's interior regions urged for the resignation of the unity government.

Other demonstrations in Sidi Bouzid, Gabes, Bizerta, Sfax, El Kef Kairouan, Jendouba and Nabeul were also held on Monday.

The private Hannibal TV station was reopened after all charges of high treason and plotting against state security were dropped against its owner Larbi Nasra.