Tunisia is expected to overhaul its interim government Thursday, a day after issuing an international arrest warrant for its deposed president and six members of his family.
The Cabinet reshuffle is likely to remove loyalists of ousted President Zine El Abidine Ali in an effort to end ongoing protests in the north African nation.
The caretaker government includes some former opposition leaders, but most key positions - including the prime minister and the ministers of defense, interior and foreign affairs - were retained by Mr. Ben Ali's allies.
Justice Minister Lazhar Karoui Chebbi said Wednesday that Mr. Ben Ali, his wife Leila Trabelsi and other family members are accused of illegally acquiring property and other assets abroad. They are also charged with illegally transferring money out of the country.
Mr. Ben Ali fled Tunisia January 14 amid the eruption of unrest over unemployment, rising prices and corrupt rule.
Protests erupted Wednesday in Tunisia's capital and in a second city as demonstrators continued to press for the resignations of government officials with ties to Mr. Ben Ali's administration.
Police fired tear gas at stone-throwing demonstrators in Tunis, and news reports say a labor group organized a large rally in Sfax, near the Tunisian coast.
Despite the continued unrest, Tunisia's state news agency reported that the interim government eased back on its nightly curfew, setting it at 2200 to 0400.
The top U.S. diplomat for the Middle East, Jeffrey Feltman, wrapped up a three-day visit in Tunis Wednesday, rejecting speculation that the United States was involved in Mr. Ben Ali's removal. Feltman credited the interim government for greater openness and steps towards political reform.
Justice Minister Chebbi said Wednesday that more than 11,000 prisoners had escaped during the uprising that led to Mr. Ben Ali's departure. He said about 1,500 of those prisoners are now back behind bars and that 74 inmates have died in fires at detention facilities.
On Tuesday, hundreds rallied in Tunis in support of the interim government formed after Mr. Ben Ali's fall. They later clashed with a larger anti-government crowd calling for a clean break with the old regime.
