Tunisia names new prime minister

Sun Feb 27, 2011

Tunisia's interim president has appointed Beji Caid Sebsi as the country's new prime minister shortly after Mohamed Ghannouchi announced his resignation.

"I proposed Beji Caid Sebsi for the position of prime minister, and he has accepted the responsibility," AFP quoted Fouad Mebazaa as saying on Sunday.

Sebsi, a former foreign minister, has replaced Ghannouchi, who was forced to step down after incessant protests that followed the overthrow of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali's regime.

Meanwhile, clashes have once again erupted in the Tunisian capital between protesters and security forces.

Police have used tear gas and warning shots to prevent pro-democracy protesters from reaching the interior ministry.

On Saturday, protesters demanding the removal of some ministers from the interim government, clashed with security forces. Three people were killed and dozens wounded while more than one hundred were arrested.

Demonstrators have expressed concern that their popular revolution may be stolen by Ben Ali's cronies, who are still in office.

The government earlier announced that it would hold elections by mid-July in response to growing protests.

The revolution that ousted Ben Ali after 23 years in power has ignited other popular revolutions in North African and Middle Eastern countries.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/167406.html.