Thousands of Tunisians Saturday turned out in central Tunis to demand jobs and dignity as the north African country marked a year to the day since its despot Zine El Abidine Ben Ali fled into exile.

"Work, freedom and dignity", "Work is a right", and "We will continue the fight", were among the slogans chanted by demonstrators brandishing banners on the avenue which was the epicenter of the popular uprising that gave birth to the Arab Spring.

"We made this revolution against the dictatorship to impose our right to a dignified life and not to help certain opportunists realize their political ambitions," 33-year-old Salem Zitouni told AFP.

Other demonstrators, wearing the red and white of the national flag, called for recognition of the "martyrs" killed during the weeks of unrest before Ben Ali was toppled.

"We are faithful to the blood of the martyrs," and "We will never forget our martyrs," their banners read.

Some also chanted the now famous "Get lost" and "Good riddance" that had accompanied calls for Ben Ali's resignation in the weeks leading up to his ouster on January 14, 2011.

Several people who were wounded in the revolution began a sit-in outside the government headquarters in the old town Kasbah.

Pride of place was given to the memory of Mohamed Bouazizi, the 26-year-old vegetable seller from the central town of Sidi Bouzid, whose desperate act in setting fire to himself was the trigger of the revolt.

Tunisia's revolution, which culminated in a peaceful election in October, has inspired reform movements throughout the Middle East, including the downfall of long-standing autocrats Hosni Mubarak in Egypt and Muammar Gaddafi in Libya.

Leaders from Tunisia's neighbors as well as other Arab countries were expected to take part in anniversary celebrations over the weekend.