Residents of Tunis 'unable to leave homes'

Tunisian forces are exchanging fire near the presidential palace with members of deposed President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali's guard, reports say.

Witnesses reported heavy gunfire in Carthage, north of the capital Tunis, where the palace is located.

Francis, a resident of Tunis living not far from where the gunbattles were taking place on Sunday, told the BBC that he was not able to leave for several days because of a curfew in the capital.