The Tunisian government has announced a wave of social reforms, reacting to days of demonstrations by anti-austerity protesters.

Protests broke out ahead of Sunday's seventh anniversary of the ousting of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.

Emergency government meetings were held in response to protests, which have seen more than 800 people arrested.

President Beji Caid Essebsi is due to visit a district of Tunis on Sunday that has been the scene of protests.

Opposition parties have called for more demonstrations on Sunday, saying that conditions have not improved since Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali was deposed as president at the start of the so-called Arab Spring uprisings.

Demonstrations in the North African country began on 7 January after the government announced New Year tax and price increases in its 2018 budget.

Rallies took place in at least 10 different areas, including the capital, Tunis. They began peacefully but clashes broke out between protesters and police, resulting in hundreds of arrests over several days.

The government accused demonstrators of setting fire to police cars and attacking officials. Some people tried to take over shopping malls and stores, while others blocked roads.

In the town of Thala, near the Algerian border, the army was called in on Wednesday after protesters burnt down the national security offices and police were forced to retreat.

The defence ministry said the army was protecting banks, post offices and other government buildings in Tunisia's main cities.

Demonstrators have accused police of a violent crackdown.

Prime Minister Youssef Chahed has tried to calm the situation, assuring Tunisians that 2018 would be the country's last "difficult" year.

President Essebsi accused foreign media of "amplifying" the unrest and damaging the country's image with its coverage.

Interior ministry spokesman Khlifa Chibani said on Saturday that 803 people had been arrested so far on suspicion of violence, theft and looting.

He said 97 members of the security forces had been injured, but did not say how many protesters had been hurt.

The UN's human rights office expressed concern on Friday over the large numbers being detained.

Read more at: BBC.