In the southern town of Gafsa, clashes erupted between young people throwing stones and police using tear gas to disperse them. However, the situation was calm in other parts of the North African country that was a key player in the Arab Spring uprisings. The possibility of a general strike raised concerns about further unrest, especially with the funeral of the assassinated secular politician Chokri Belaid potentially becoming another flashpoint. Prime Minister Hamdi Jebali of the Ennahda party announced plans to form a non-partisan cabinet until new elections could be held. However, there was disagreement within the party about this decision, with Ennahda's vice-president stating that Jebali did not consult the party before making the announcement. The main opposition parties also rejected the idea of a government of experts and called for their involvement in the formation of any new cabinet. Analysts warned that the ongoing political deadlock could worsen the unrest, highlighting the divide between Islamists and secular groups who are concerned about the erosion of freedoms and rights in the country. Belaid was killed by a gunman on a motorcycle as he left his home for work. The killing of a prominent politician sparked widespread protests across Tunisia, reminiscent of the Arab Spring uprisings. Despite no one claiming responsibility for the murder, the headquarters of the ruling Ennahda party were set on fire by angry crowds. The interim parliament is set to discuss a proposal for a temporary technocratic government to address the political crisis. Many Tunisians fear that religious extremists are trying to undermine the freedoms gained during the revolution. The opposition is seeking to capitalize on the unrest, but there are concerns about a prolonged deadlock exacerbating the situation. International powers are urging Tunisians to peacefully transition to democracy, as fears of radical Islamist influence grow. Economic concerns are also mounting, with the cost of insuring Tunisian government bonds against default reaching a four-year high. However, Tunisia's economy still lags behind that of Egypt, which is facing unrest. Tunisia does not have the same abundant oil and gas resources as Libya and Algeria, so tourism is a key source of income. Any further unrest could discourage tourists from visiting. Following protests on Wednesday, Jebali announced that discussions to reform the government had failed due to disagreements within the coalition. A secular party threatened to leave unless Ennahda changed some of its ministers. Other opposition parties demanded that Jebali consult with them before making any decisions about dissolving the cabinet. Some politicians called for the entire government, including Jebali, to resign. Just before his death, Belaid was criticizing the pervasive violence in the country. Ennahda and its two secularist allies in the coalition government have been criticized for their tolerance towards Salafists, which has allowed the spread of groups hostile to modern culture and liberal ideas. Similar to Egypt, secular leaders have accused Islamists of trying to impose narrow religiosity on the new state, causing a dispute that has delayed progress on a constitution and parliamentary election. Unlike Egypt's government, Ennahda has struggled to form a strong partnership with key state institutions, leaving them with limited options to address political opposition and calls for government changes.