UN: At least 219 died in Tunisia uprising

TUNIS: At least 219 people died during the month-long protests that culminated in the ouster of Tunisia's President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, the United Nations said Tuesday.

UN rapporteur Bacre Waly Ndiaye said the figure includes 72 people who died during prison riots that erupted after Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia on January 14. Ndiaye added the figure is not final and may increase.

The country's transitional government previously reported a death toll of 78 people.

Ndiaye, who was speaking at the end of a week-long UN investigation into the protests, also said that 510 people were injured.

After the ouster of Ben Ali, a unity government was appointed to oversee Tunisia's democratic transition. Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi has promised elections by mid-July.

(BNO NEWS )