Tunisia girds for new chaos at funeral

[iolsa]

Tunis, Tunisia -  

The funeral for a leading leftist politician assassinated in Tunisia is expected to draw waves of mourners, and many fear that a national strike the same day could touch off riots nationwide in the country that started the Arab Spring.

The family and allies of Chokri Belaid accuse the ruling part of  complicity in his Wednesday killing, and although they have offered  no proof the allegations have sharply raised tensions ahead of Friday's funeral. The country's main labor union has called a general strike for the first time in 35 years, raising fears of nationwide confrontations.

Tunisia's prime minister offered to replace the government after  Belaid's killing, but that attempt may have backfired as his own ruling Islamist part rejected his decision. - Sapa-AP



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