Violence in Tunisia: President accused of 'coup' as tensions escalate over parliament's suspension

Troops surrounded Tunisia's parliament and blocked its speaker from entering Monday after the president suspended the legislature and fired the prime minister following nationwide protests over the country’s economic troubles and coronavirus crisis.

Police intervened Monday to prevent clashes outside the parliament building between lawmakers from Islamist party Ennahdha, which dominates the Assembly of the Representatives of the People of Tunisia, and demonstrators supporting the president. Both sides shouted and some stones were thrown, according to an Associated Press reporter and videos circulating online. Security forces also moved in Monday on the Tunis offices of broadcaster Al Jazeera, ordering it to shut down, according to a statement by the Qatar-based network on its Facebook page. The reason for the move was not immediately clear.