Tunisia President declares a state of emergency

Tunis - Tunisia President Beji Caid Essebsi declared a state of emergency on Saturday following an Islamic militant gun attack on a Sousse beach hotel, where 38 foreign tourists, mostly Britons, were killed, TAP news agency said, citing the president's office.

A state of emergency temporarily gives the government more flexibility and the army and police more authority, and restricts the right of public assembly.

Tunisia last had a state of emergency during the 2011 uprising against autocrat Zine El-Abidine Ben Ali.