Thousands of Islamist supporters descended on central Tunis yesterday to confront liberal demonstrators rallying against extremism as lawmakers draft a new constitution for Tunisia.

Separated by barriers and police, they shouted insults at each other outside the Bardo Palace where the constitution is being compiled after a vote that saw the moderate Islamist Ennahda party win most seats on the drafting body.

The Islamists waved Ennahda flags but also the black banners of the hardline Salafist Hizb Tahrir, which has not been legalised in the north African country.

Ennahda spokesman Noureddine Bhiri, whose party denied being behind the Islamist rally, went to try to calm the situation as police reinforcements and armoured vehicles were brought in to block the entrance to the palace.

Hundreds of students, teachers, unemployed miners and other protesters began gathering Wednesday at the Bardo Palace.

Ennahda dominates the 217-member assembly elected in the country’s first democratic polls on October 23.

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