Tunisian soldiers and police exchanged gunfire with several armed groups around the presidential palace in a Tunis suburb, local media reported on Sunday.
The reports said citing security officials the gunbattle involved the members of the presidential security service.
Earlier on Sunday, Tunisian police arrested ex-president's security chief, Ali El Seriati, on suspicion of trying to undermine security, provoking clashes among the country's citizens and being behind killings and robberies, Al Jazeera television said.
Media reports said armed groups, including security services agents, opened fire on passers-by in an effort to cause panic in the country and clear the way for the comeback of the ousted president.
Tunisia plunged into chaos in mid-December, when thousands of people took to the streets to protest the state's economic policies. So far, more than 70 people have been killed and hundreds have been hurt in the riots.
Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled his country after anti-government protests, dubbed the Jasmine Revolution, turned violent on Friday. Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi then took over as Tunisia's interim leader.
However, following the protests against the country's new leader Tunisia's Constitutional Council on Saturday declared parliament speaker Foued Mebazaa as the country's new interim president. The council called for early presidential elections in 60 days.\
CAIRO, January 16 (RIA Novosti)
