Ratings agency downgrades Tunisian debt after new unrest, Spanish premier offers aid

 Ratings agency downgrades Tunisian debt after new unrest, Spanish premier offers aid: "Fragile Tunisia suffered a new blow Wednesday as Fitch Ratings downgraded its credit grade, saying renewed political upheaval worsens prospects for reviving the country's post-revolution economy.
Spain's visiting prime minister offered to help boost the economy and help evacuate the tens of thousands of refugees fleeing into Tunisia from neighbouring Libya, who are straining Tunisian resources at an already uncertain time.
Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero is the first foreign leader to visit since Tunisia's autocratic President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was ousted by a popular uprising in January that sparked revolts across the Arab world.
Tunisia's interim government is struggling to restore stability to a country that had a steady, fast-growing economy and attracted waves of European tourists to its Mediterranean shores.
New deadly clashes between police and protesters broke out last Friday and Saturday, and the prime minister resigned Sunday. Six government ministers have since stepped down.
On Wednesday, Fitch Ratings downgraded Tunisia's credit grade to one notch above junk status. The agency says it has cut its rating on Tunisia to BBB- given the uncertainties over stability and economic policy during the political transition.
Fitch said much of the country's outlook depends on elections expected in July."

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