VOA标准英语2011-Sporadic Fighting Continues as Tunisia Tr

Gun battles broke out around Tunisia's capital late Sunday as politicians worked at cobbling together an interim¹ coalition² government.

The day in the capital ended pretty much the way as the previous one - with sounds of gunfire and helicopters circling overhead. Media reported gun battles waging between security forces and armed assailants near the presidential palace in the Tunis suburb of Carthage and several parts of the city center.

The Associated Press reported members of the presidential guard were involved in the Carthage shootout. Security forces reportedly made dozens of arrests.

During the day a French photojournalists died from wounds sustained by being hit by a teargas cannister during riots on Friday. Reporters Without Borders said police had deliberately³ targeted him.

Earlier in the day, the city appeared to be getting back to normal. An occasional car sped down the streets and a few shops and cafes were open. Tunis residents tore down huge posters of former strongman president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, who fled the country Friday after massive protests.

Meanwhile, those remaining in power, notably⁴ Interim President Fouad Mebazaa, held talks about forming a coalition government until the country holds elections - proposed for two months from now. The new government is expected to be announced Monday.

Political discussions were also taking place at a cafe in downtown Tunis, as men speculated about who would be the next president.

One man said he wanted Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Ghanouchi to take over, since he had plenty of experience.

But another man rejected this idea, saying the the prime minister was tied to Ben Ali's regime. He said Tunisia needs to get rid of the old regime and put a new system in place. Other men at the cafe agreed.

Tunisia's tumultuous power transition is being watched closely overseas to see whether or not it will be a model for democratic change in the Arab world

1 interim   

adj.暂时的，临时的；n.间歇，过渡期间

参考例句：

• The government is taking interim measures to help those in immediate need.政府正在采取临时措施帮助那些有立即需要的人。
• It may turn out to be an interim technology.这可能只是个过渡技术。

2 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

3 deliberately   

adv.审慎地；蓄意地；故意地

参考例句：

• The girl gave the show away deliberately.女孩故意泄露秘密。
• They deliberately shifted off the argument.他们故意回避这个论点。

4 notably   

adv.值得注意地，显著地，尤其地，特别地

参考例句：

• Many students were absent,notably the monitor.许多学生缺席，特别是连班长也没来。
• A notably short,silver-haired man,he plays basketball with his staff several times a week.他个子明显较为矮小，一头银发，每周都会和他的员工一起打几次篮球。