Tunisian President flees the country, and Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi has gone on state television to say he is assuming power in Tunisia. Prior to that, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali dismisses the government and declared emergency situation.

President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali left the country on Friday, and prime minister assumed the duty of acting President, western agencies reported.

Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi stated, when he addressed the nation on television, that he took over the power over Tunisia and that President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali will not be able to perform his duties temporarily, agencies AP and Reuters reported.

According to the statement of some unnamed sources from the Tunisian government and reports of Qatar Tv network Al-Jazeera, Ben Ali has left the country.

The 74-year-old Ben Ali came to power in a bloodless coup in 1987, and on Thursday, in an attempt to stabilize the situation in Tunisia, he announced he would not run for president after his mandate expires in 2014.

In response to the riots, Tunisian president Zin el Abidin Ben Ali declared a state of emergency, dissolved the government, introduced curfew and promised new legislative elections within six months.

Spreading of riots in until now peaceful country forced thousands of British and German tourists to leave the country.

According to the official data, 23 persons were killed in riots, while the opposition claims that number is much larger.

Demonstrations, organised due to high rate of unemployment, corruption and high costs of food, last for over a month.