Tunisia's President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali has stepped down after 23 years in power, amid widespread protests on the streets of the capital Tunis.
In a televised address, Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi said he would be taking over.
A state of emergency was declared earlier, as rumbling nationwide protests over economic woes snowballed into anti-government demonstrations.
Unconfirmed reports say Mr Ben Ali has left the country.
Earlier, police fired tear gas as thousands of protesters gathered outside the interior ministry.
Doctors say that 13 people were killed in overnight clashes in Tunis, and there are unconfirmed reports that five people have been killed in protests on Friday outside the capital.
Troops have surrounded the country's main international airport, Tunis Carthage, and the country's air space has been closed.
A state of emergency decree bans gatherings of more than three people and imposes a night-time curfew. Security forces have been authorised to open fire on people not obeying their orders.
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he stood side-by-side with the citizens of Tunisia, his country's former protectorate.
"Only dialogue can bring a democratic and lasting solution to the current crisis," said Mr Sarkozy in a statement.
The US, a staunch ally of Tunisia, said all people "had the right to choose their own leaders".
Mr Ghannouchi, 69, a former finance minister who has been prime minister since 1999, will serve as interim president.
In an address on state television, he promised to "respect the law and to carry out the political, economic and social reforms that have been announced".
from: BBC News
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