Disgruntled with the arrest in Spain of Croatian war crimes suspect Ante Gotovina on Wednesday, the protesters jostled with the police and smashed several windows on the government building.
Kirin said Franic's general performance had been good and that the dismissal had nothing to do with his statements after robbers killed a Finance Agency staffer in Zagreb.
The minister announced more personnel changes, and said the security situation in the country yesterday and today was under control.
He said the police had been ready for yesterday's protest rallies in a number of towns, that the rallies had been expected and that no damage had been done, apart from the smashed windows in Zagreb.
Kirin did not give an immediate answer when asked if after the news of Gotovina's arrest security measures had been stepped up. He said the police stepped up security whenever there was a rally and that recently they had been raised also because of the forthcoming holidays and frequent robberies.
The minister said the new police chief, Marijan Benko, was a top crime expert of great experience who, among other posts, had also been assistant interior minister.