Fleeing tourists tell of Tunisian unrest

?Holidaymakers forced to flee Tunisia and return to the Midlands told of their relief but disappointment at coming home early.

An emergency flight landed at Birmingham on Saturday as unrest rocked the African country, sparked by anger over unemployment and alleged corrupt leadership.

More than 3,000 Britons fled over the weekend amid violent riots, with more than 1,000 still stranded today.

Overnight, gunshots were heard to break out in the capital Tunis with a battle reported to be under way near the city's presidential palace.

A number of passengers returning to Birmingham said they steered clear of the trouble as they were in outlying areas but still had to end their holidays prematurely.

Bill and Brenda Carr, aged 70, of Cleobury Road, Bewdley, were among those on the emergency flight.

Mr Carr, 69, said: "We have seen no problems at all. The most we saw was coming back on the coach and there were a lot of army soldiers on the road.

"We had three days of a fortnight and were then told there was a chance we would be coming back.

"It is a shame as it looked a nice place but you just can't take a chance."

Birmingham University student Johnny Davis, 23, heard some of the trouble after arriving with a friend on Wednesday. "We heard what we think was gunfire throughout the city, and that was going on all the way through to the early hours," he said.

Gordon and 78-year-old June Holland, of Coventry, avoided getting caught up in the war zone.

Mr Holland, 80, said: "We have only had two days of a six-week holiday.

"We are very disappointed because the weather was beautiful and we had started to relax. Coming through Sousse we could see broken windows.

"We were a little apprehensive coming back on the coach."

Regular visitor Christine Wilson of Tamworth cut short her month-long stay after arriving on Wednesday with her friend Rita Norris.

The 60-year-old, of Ethelfreda Road, said: "We look on it as our second home. I am surprised by what has been happening as it is not something that comes natural to them. We have booked for next January but will have to see. It has escalated since we went on Wednesday."

Dozens have died in the clashes, including 42 people killed in a fire at a jail in Monastir in eastern Tunisia.

Prime minister Mohammed Ghannouchi said an agreement between the political parties would be unveiled today. President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali has fled the country.