TUNIS, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian authorities announced a nationwide curfew on Friday after weeks of deadly clashed spread to the capital of Tunis, the Tunisian television reported.

The curfew came after Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali decided to dissolve the government and set up early legislative elections within six months.

Women run during clashes with riot police in downtown of the capital Tunis January 14, 2011. Tunisian President Zine al-Abedine Ben Ali declared a state of emergency on Friday and warned that protesters would be shot in an increasingly frantic effort to quell the worst unrest in his two decades in power.

On Wednesday, the Tunisian Interior Ministry announced a curfew in Grand Tunis region from 8:00 p.m. (1900 GMT) to 5:30 a.m. (0430 GMT).

The move came after violent protests in several districts of the capital, with riot police firing tear gas against demonstrators.