In a statement released after a cabinet meeting on Thursday, the government said schools and universities, closed since last week, would reopen on Monday.

Mohamed Aloulou, minister for youth and sport, told reporters after the cabinet meeting that sporting events, also on hold since last week, would resume "very soon."

At least 78 people have been killed since the start of Tunisia's uprising and the unrest has cost 3 billion dinars ($2.1 billion) in damages and lost business, Interior Minister Ahmed Friaa told state TV this week.

The new government, faced with violent street protests for retaining members of the deposed president's cabinet, offered a blanket amnesty to all political groups, including the banned Islamist opposition.

Reuters