France offers Tunisia 1 bln euros to help fix unemployment crisis: Elysee

French President Francois Hollande unveiled a 1-billion-euro plan (1.08 billion U.S. dollars) to help Tunisia tackle its unemployment crisis and ease social strains which risk destabilizing the North African country's young democracy.

At a meeting with Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid, Hollande pledged to grant France's former colony 1 billion euros over the next five years "to help disadvantaged regions and youth with a major focus on employment."

"Five years after the uprising, Tunisia has managed its democratic transition but still faces significant economic, social and security challenges. It can count on our support," Hollande said in a statement released by his office.

In this context, he vowed to reinforce security cooperation with Tunisian authorities to ensure stability in the North African country and face terror threats.

The French head of state also announced that French Prime Minister Manuel Valls would visit Tunisia by year-end to further boost bilateral ties.

The Tunisian prime minister's visit to Paris coincides with violent protests of hundreds of unemployed youths in the central city of Kasserine after a frustrated young man set himself ablaze after being refused a job.

Unrest spread to other Tunisian towns forcing the government to declare a nationwide curfew from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. local time (0700 to 1600 GMT)

Unemployment in Tunisia stood at 15.3 percent in 2015. Endit