His Thursday’s televised nationwide speech, flavoured with several economic reforms of job creation jobs, freedom of the press and a promise not to run for 2014 presidential election, couldn’t quell angered youths, who intensified the uprising Friday, prompting the military to seize the country’s airports and proceed with what many describe as a silent coup d’etat.

Immediately after Ben Ali’s departure, Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi went on state television to say he was assuming power, calling on Tunisians to remain united and shun acts of violence.

But Tunisia's highest constitutional body on Saturday appointed the speaker of Tunisia's parliament and head of the lower house of parliament Foued Mbazaa, 77, as temporary head of state, mentioning that Ben Ali has left power for good. Mbazaa has taken an oath as interim President of Tunisia.

Mbazaa is yet to make a public statement, but according to the constitution, he has a maximum of two months to hold new elections. Analysts hope these developments would pacify demonstrators who continued protesting Saturday.

Armoured tanks and heavily armed soldiers could be seen on the streets of Tunis Saturday. French radio RFI says they were there to dissuade looters who broke down shops the previous night.

According to AFP, Ben Ali is currently in the Arabian city of Jeddah. The French government earlier denied a report that the ousted president was on his way to an exile in France, Tunisia’s former colonial power and long-time backer of the Ali’s administration.

In another development on Saturday, 42 inmates were killed in a prison riot in the Tunisian town of Monastir, Reuters said.

An attempt to escape from the prison led to a complete chaos. "Some were able to escape and the others set fire to mattresses in a wing housing more than 90 prisoners. Those who died suffered from burns or smoke inhalation,” a source told TAP news agency.