Tunisia's protests marking revolution anniversary turn violent

Small skirmishes erupted in the Tunisian capital on Sunday evening, as the country celebrates the seventh anniversary of the ousting of President Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali's regime.

Tunisia's main opposition parties and activist groups took to the streets in coordination with other demonstrations
against the current government.

"We are protesting today to tell the government that we can't eat anymore, the basket is empty as we really have nothing to eat because of these austerity measures," one mother at the march told The New Arab.

A week of demonstrations have been held in Tunisia over rising prices and taxes. Some have turned violent with hundreds detained by security services.

In an attempt to quell the unrest, the government announced a series of social reforms aimed at tempering the anger against Tunis' austerity measures.

These reforms and benefits aim to help the country's poorest families.

Social Affairs Minister Mohammed Trabelsi said the package will cost the government around $40.2 million and lower income Tunisians will see a 20 percent increase in financial aid.

Earlier today, President Beji Caid Essebsi paid a visit to Ettadhamon in the capital, telling crowds he understood the people's suffering.

"We feel for you, these are our families," President Essebsi added in his short speech.

Rallies have been taking place in more than ten cities across Tunisia, since the demonstrations began on 7 January.