Islamists protest against strike

Hundreds demonstrated in Tunis outside the former headquarters of the RCD Party of toppled president Ben Ali.

The National League for the Protection of the Revolution supporters called for the dissolution of Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) which they say is trying to derail the country's progress.

The 500,000-strong union has been a key figure opposing the moderate Islamist Ennahda party's lack of social and economic progress.

Relations between the government and union have become increasingly fraught in recent weeks.

Government supporters armed with knives and sticks attacked a march last week to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the assassination of UGTT founder Farhat Hached.

Following that the union called for a general strike for December 13 demanding that authorities bring the perpetrators of the violence to justice.

It also filed a complaint with the International Labour Organisation raising concerns about the increasing violence towards civil society bodies.

Thursday's industrial action will be the third national general strike in the UGTT's history, the previous one came just two days before the fall of Ali's regime.

Four regional branches of the union held general strikes last week, including in Sidi Bouzid, the birthplace of the so-called Arab Spring.

Ennahdha called on Tunisians not to protest to avoid an escalation of tensions.