The regime is clinging on and making some minor concessions which are probably far too late. The security crackdown is obviously placing huge demands on the police and military. In a trial of strength, can the protesters stretch them to breaking point? Maybe the endgame is approaching but the big question is how it can be brought to a conclusion.

A brief summary of reported events in Tunisia on Wednesday:

• Interior minister, Rafik Belhaj Kacem, dismissed; replaced by Ahmed Fria, former communications minister.

• Prime minister announces release [not confirmed] of all those arrested during recent events except those involved in looting and burning.

• President sets up committee of inquiry into abuses during recent events, plus a second committee to look intocorruption (!) and mistakes by some officials. 

• Both houses of parliament to meet Thursday to discuss (surely, "approve") president's decisions.

• Stock market falls again.

• Massive demonstration in Sfax, followed by tear gas.

• Hatem Bettahar, assistant professor (said to be a French citizen) shot dead – apparently by a government sniper in Douz.

• Protests in Hammamet (important tourist destination). One or more dead; police station burned.

• Ruling party headquarters in Dar Chaabane (Nabeul) on fire. 

• Army increasingly visible on the streets of Tunis and other cities.

• President Ben Ali should have created 810 new jobs by now, in line with Monday's promise of an extra 300,000 jobs over two years.

• Hamma Hammami, Communist Party spokesman, arrested.

• Former political prisoner Lamari Ahmed arrested.

• Abdelwahhab Maatar, lawyer for rapper El Général, reportedly arrested.

• Headquarters of ruling party in Sfax said to be on fire.

• Curfew declared in Tunis and suburbs from 8pm tonight until 5.30am tomorrow. Air France/KLM cancel late-night flight from Paris to Tunis.

• Some of presidential family reportedly arrive in Canada.

Posted by Brian Whitaker, 12 Jan 2011.