A quick update. Al-Jazeera and AFP are reporting that at least 20 people have died in the clashes in two Tunisian cities during the last 24 hours. 

Citing trade union sources, al-Jazeera says six were killed in Thala and a further 14 elsewhere in the Kasserine region.

The Tunisian Kalima website says more than 50 have died, including 22 in Kasserine, 16 in Thala, eight in Reguab, two in Meknassi and one in Feriana.

The Tunisian regime initially claimed only two people died. This later increased to five and it is now admitting to eight.

The nawaat website has posted a video which it says shows scenes in the hospital at Thala.

Posted by Brian Whitaker, 9 Jan 2011, 18.20 GMT.