Tunis , Tunisia ( CNN ) -- A day after the Tunisian president indicated that he would n't run again , protesters peacefully took to the streets in tense North African nation 's capital to protest his rule . Thousands of people congregated in front of the Interior Ministry in Tunis , and chanted slogans such as `` Get out ! '' and `` Freedom for Tunisia ! '' Haykal Maki , a pro-opposition lawyer who was in the throng , said protesters want a `` regime change , '' the resignation of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali , and lawsuits addressing the regime 's corruption . Tunisia has been wracked by angry demonstrations , with citizens protesting high unemployment , alleged corruption , rising prices , limitations on rights , and anger with the government 's performance . The wave of protests was sparked by the suicide of an unemployed college graduate , a man who torched himself in December after police confiscated his fruit cart . In an address on national TV on Thursday night , Ben Ali addressed the crisis in a speech that came as street unrest percolated and a message purportedly from an al Qaeda affiliate announced its support of protesters . He vowed to cut prices of basic foodstuffs , to lift censorship and to ensure police do not use live ammunition except in self-defense , and indicated that he will not run again for president . `` Enough violence , '' Ben Ali said on national television after days of riots that have killed at least 21 people . `` I also gave orders to the interior minister ... not to use live ammunition . It is unacceptable and unjustified unless someone uses his weapon and forces you to defend yourself . '' Ben Ali said he had asked the prime minister to reduce prices of staples , including sugar , milk and bread and said he had decided to give `` complete freedom to all media outlets ... as long as they respect our values and the value of the profession . '' The 74-year-old president added that he would not push to change the law setting an age limit for presidential candidates in the next election in 2014 . By then , he would have exceeded the 75-year age limit . `` There will not be presidency for life , '' he said . Organized mainly by the country 's lawyers ' union mainly and other unions , the crowd on Friday was under the watchful eye of a contingent of riot police officers . But the protesters freely were not shy about slamming the government and Ben Ali 's rule . Demonstrators shouted `` Public trial for the president 's family ! '' and `` Yes to water and bread , but NO to Ben Ali ! '' Reem Ben Yousef , a 37-year-old university professor , told CNN that the protesters say the ruling family have robbed citizens and they want them to depart from public life . Reem says that Ben Ali 's speech was staged and was cynical about the presence of a pro-government demonstration after his speech . `` We do not believe in Ben Ali and his regime , '' she said .
Thousands are gathered in Tunis . The funeral is peaceful . This comes a day after the president 's death .