Tunisia's turning points

Follow the dramatic recent developments in Tunisia with this timeline.

Reuters

• 17 December: Mohammed Bouazizi, a 26-year-old unemployed graduate, sets himself on fire in the town of Sidi Bouzid. Protestors take to the streets of cities across Tunisia, demanding more job opportunities and a higher standard of living.
   
• 24 December: police fire on demonstrators in Menzel Bouzaiene, killing 18-year-old Mohamed Ammari. Clashes with security forces follow at protests in al-Ragab and Miknassi.
   
• 27 December: protests spread to Tunis. Over 1,000 people take to the streets of the capital.
   
• 28 December: President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali warns protests are unacceptable and those using violence will be punished.
   
• 12 January: Interior Minister Rafik Belhaj Kacem is sacked.
   
• 13 January: up to 66 deaths reported since protests began. Government estimates put the figure at 23. President Ben Ali pledges major reforms and says he will not stand for re-election in 2014.
   
• 14 January: state of emergency is declared. Ben Ali dissolves parliament and promises to hold legislative elections within six months.
  That evening, Ben Ali renounces power and flees to Saudi Arabia.
   
• 15 January: Speaker of Parliament Foued Mebazaa is sworn in as interim president and begins consultations with opposition parties on the formation of a new government.