( CNN ) -- Tunisia 's interim president tapped Al-Baji Qa'ed Al-Sebsi as the country 's new prime minister Sunday , after the previous prime minister resigned amid protests , state-run media reported . Former Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi 's resignation Sunday came a day after three people were killed during protests in the capital , Tunis . `` I am resigning today because I am not willing to be a person that takes decisions that could cause casualties , '' he told reporters Sunday . He also questioned `` why a lot of people considered their main target to keep attacking the government , although a lot of its members agreed to join in this critical time . '' Three people were killed Saturday and nine others injured during mayhem in Tunis , according to an Interior Ministry statement cited by the state-run news agency , Tunis Afrique Presse ( TAP ) . More than 100 people were arrested in the area around Habib Bourguiba Avenue , in the city 's center , and accused of `` acts of destruction and burning , '' the ministry said . Protesters had gathered in the area to demand that the interim government step down and the current parliament be disbanded . Demonstrators were also asking for suspension of the current constitution and the election of an assembly that can write a new one , as well as organize the transition to democracy . Protests in Tunisia erupted late last year . Fed up with corruption , unemployment and escalating prices of food , people began demonstrating en masse after the self-immolation suicide of a fruit cart vendor in December . By January 13 , Ben Ali -- who had ruled Tunisia since 1987 -- turned executive power over to his prime minister and fled the country .
NEW : Interim president chooses new prime minister . Mohamed Ghannouchi 's resignation comes after three people were killed during protests . Protesters were demanding that he and the parliament step down . He said he did n't want to make a decision that would cost lives .