Tunisian interim president names new PM
By IANSSunday, February 27, 2011
TUNIS - Tunisia’s interim president Fouad Mebazaa has named former minister Beji Caid-Essebsi as the country’s new prime minister shortly after Mohammed Ghannouchi resigned from the position.
Ghannouchi resigned from the prime minister’s position earlier Sunday, after being accused by protesters of “being too close” to the toppled regime of Ben Ali, Xinhua reported.
“I have decided to quit as prime minister. This resignation will serve Tunisia, and the revolution and the future of Tunisia,” Ghannouchi told a press conference.
He stressed the necessity and importance of a new constitution, based on which the country could move forward.
Ghannouchi, who became the country’s interim prime minister after the ouster of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, faced strong opposition from the Tunisian society that also called for the toppling of the interim government and the election of a constituent council.
Meanwhile, a statement released by the interior ministry Sunday said five people were killed Saturday in clashes between security forces and protesters in Tunis.
On Sunday, several groups of people clashed with police on the Avenue Bourguiba in central Tunis. Many cars were burnt and shops were looted. Security forces fired teargas shells to disperse them, it said.
