Thousands of protesters have marched in Tunis on the first day of a planned week-long campaign aimed at bringing down the Islamist-led government.
They headed in the direction of the national assembly, where activists and opposition MPs have gathered regularly since the July 25 assassination of secular politician Mohamed Brahmi, demanding the departure of the government led by the Islamist party Ennahda.
"The people want the fall of the regime," "Get out!" and "(Ennahda leader Rached) Ghannouchi assassin," were some of the slogans chanted.
More than an hour after the start of the Saturday protest numbers continued to grow.
The opposition National Salvation Front (NSF) is hoping the demonstration will trigger a week of protests across the country that will force Ennahda's resignation and lead to the formation of a non-partisan administration.
The latest action comes amid political turmoil in nearby Egypt, where the army overthrew Islamist president Mohamed Morsi last month after millions took to the streets demanding that he step down.
It also follows efforts by Tunisia's powerful UGTT trade union to mediate between the opposition and the ruling Islamists and find a way out of crisis.
