TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Protesters have clashed with police for a third consecutive night in Tunisia after a journalist set himself on fire and died to denounce the economic problems engulfing the North African nation.

National Guard spokesman Housameddine Jebabli said Thursday that protests took place in six different towns including Kasserine, in west central Tunisia, where journalist Abderrazak Zorgui set himself ablaze this week.

Interior minister spokesman Sofiane Zaag said 14 people were arrested overnight, in addition to the 18 arrests announced Wednesday.

Protests started after Zorgui posted a video online before his self-immolation calling for a revolt. He expressed frustration at the country's high unemployment and the unfulfilled promises of Tunisia's 2011 Arab Spring revolution.

A similar self-immolation led to nationwide protests that brought down Tunisia's long-time authoritarian president in 2011.