President Beji Caid Essebsi of Tunisia says he understands frustration that has led to protests over unemployment, but warns instability could be exploited by extremists.
A curfew began on Friday evening after “attacks against public and private property”, the interior ministry said.
Protests over youth unemployment have spread from the northern region of Kasserine to towns and cities.
In a televised speech, the president said the country would “get out of this ordeal”.
In his first address since protests began almost a week ago, Mr Essebsi said on Friday night: “There is no dignity without work. You can’t tell someone who has nothing to eat to stay patient.”
He said there was a risk that the Islamic State group in neighbouring Libya “finds that the moment is opportune to infiltrate into Tunisia”.
Mr Essebsi said on Wednesday that more than 6,000 jobs would be given to people from the town of Kasserine.
The government also promised an investigation into allegations of corruption.
