At least 219 people died during Tunisia unrest: UN

At least 219 people died and 510 were injured in Tunisia during the protests that eventually forced the President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali to flee to Saudi Arabia last month, according to a team of UN officials investigating human rights in the country.

The UN Team leader Bacre Waly Ndiaye indicates that the causalities included 72 people who perished during prison riots.

The Tunisian government had previously claimed that only 78 people had died.

Ndiaye cautioned that the total deaths figure was not final and the UN will continue its investigations.

A new interim government in Tunisia, led by Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi, still has some citizens dissatisfied since it contains some figures from the prior regime.

Ghannouchi has promised new elections within six months.