VOA常速英语:Tunisian Prime Minister Resigns Amid Protests

Tunisia's prime minister, Mohammed Ghannouchi, announced his resignation amid ongoing protests for the entire government to step down.

Tunisian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi's departure was not enough for the hundreds of protesters who massed in front of government offices.

Twenty-year-old student Mohammed Hizawi expressed the views of many here when he said he wanted a clean slate.

"We want the whole government to quit because it is not only him. They can put anyone instead of him, Gannouchi is nobody for us. The whole government is our request."

Ibtissem Sabry, 26, a Tunisian flag wrapped around her body, was suspicious of the  resignation that followed three days of major protests in Tunis. Clashes between demonstrators and police on Saturday left at least three dead.

"I am asking myself the question, why did he resign today? Why not Friday? The day of anger?"

Ghannouchi's resignation capped an eventful day that saw youngsters clash with police wielding truncheons in downtown Tunis.  But the later demonstration before government headquarters in the Casbah was peaceful and festive. Vendors sold food and people of all ages took part. Tents are strewn around the area where people have been camping out for days.

"***until victory!" the protesters here chanted of the popular movements sweeping across the Arab world sparked by Tunisia's so-called "***" in January.  But a month after Tunisians ousted longtime president Zine el Abidine Ben Ali, this country's future is not certain.