Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali called for calm on Thursday (November 29th), after police and protesters clashed for the third day in the central town of Siliana, Tunisie Numerique reported.

Protesters also torched a security post and two police vehicles in nearby Kesra, while in Gaafour, protesters hurled rocks at police and army trucks.

"The violence requires the unions, the parties and organisations to stand up against the mutual violence," Jebali said at the press conference. According to TAP, Jebali admitted, however, that there had been an excessive use of force by law officers.

As of Friday, more than 250 people had been wounded in the unrest, with 20 critical cases in hospital.

The protesters, angry at the government's failure to improve living standards, are demanding the resignation of regional governor Ahmed Ezzine Mahjoubi, funds to boost development and the release of demonstrators arrested last year.