The Department of State`s travel alert warned of "intensifying political and social unrest" including clashes between protesters and police that have resulted in dozens of deaths and injuries.
"The unrest has recently spread to Tunis and all major cities, including popular tourist destinations," the travel alert said.
"While these disturbances appear to be triggered by economic concerns, and not to be directed toward Westerners, US citizens are urged to remain alert to local security developments and to be vigilant regarding their personal security," the alert continued.
Americans in Tunisia were advised to delay non-essential travel inside the country and to avoid even peaceful demonstrations because they can "quickly become unruly and a foreigner could become a target of harassment or worse," said the alert, which will remain in effect for one month.
Deadly clashes between protesters and security forces occurred Thursday in Tunis and its suburbs in an unprecedented challenge to the regime.
Police crackdowns in the past month have resulted in 66 deaths, according to an international human rights organization.
State Department spokesman Philip Crowley said Washington was monitoring the situation, adding "there continues to be an unacceptable level of violence." "The government has made public commitments to respond to the concerns of its citizens, address the tension that brought these citizens out in protest... we hope that the sooner they act on these concerns, the better."
Prime Minister Francois Fillon of France, Tunisia`s former colonial power, said Thursday he was alarmed by "the disproportionate use of violence" in Tunisia.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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