Police fired tear gas at protesters who took to the streets of Sbeitla, near the central city of Kasserine, in support of the people of Siliana, scene of intense clashes since Tuesday, the witnesses told AFP.

They adopted the same measures to disperse protesters who gathered outside government buildings in the northeastern region of Kef, according to the Express, Mosaique and Shems radio stations.

In addition, a demonstration is set to be staged in the capital Tunis later on Saturday in support of the residents of Siliana, who are demanding the governor's resignation, financial aid, and the withdrawal of police.

The demonstrations come ahead of the second anniversary on December 17 of the outbreak of the Tunisian revolution, triggered by a vendor setting himself alight in the town of Sidi Bouzid.