Walid Louguini, spokesman for the Interior Ministry, said Friday that police stations came under attack in southern Tunisia, and security officers and protesters faced off in several cities.

In housing projects on the outskirts of the capital, Tunis, roving groups of young people pillaged a bank and looted stores and warehouses.

Tunisia's Prime Minister, Habib Essid, cut short a visit to France to deal with the protests, which were triggered Sunday when a young man who lost out on a government job climbed a transmission tower in protest and was electrocuted.

Tunisia unemployment stands around 15 percent, but is 30 percent among young people.