The Tunisian Prime Minister of the Interim Government Mohamed Ghannouchi has turned down a request from ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to return to the country. According to sources in Tunisia, the PM told him that a return to Tunisia is "impossible".
The Tunisian Minister of Regional Development in the unity government Najib Chebbi was quoted as saying that the deposed President has called the PM to discuss the situation and Ghannouchi told him a return is "impossible."
Meanwhile, the Tunisian television announced the arrest of dozens of family members of Ben Ali as they tried to leave the country. The Tunisian TV said Wednesday evening that the authorities arrested 33 people from the family of the deposed President, who fled to Saudi Arabia.
The TV also aired images of gold jewelry, jewelry, pieces of jewelry and rare watches and precious stones which were in the possession of Bin Ali family members. The authorities suspect these items were gained illegally and thus were confiscated.
