TUNISIAN PM RESIGNS

Tunis, 7 Rabi’ul Awwal 1435/9 January 2014 (MINA) – The Tunisia’s Prime Minister, Ali Larayedh announced his resignation Thursday (9/1) arround 3 pm in accordance with the provisions of the roadmap crafted by the Quartet sponsoring the national dialogue.the state News Agency reported.

“As I promised a short while ago…I have just submitted the government’s resignation,” Ali Larayedh told a press conference after presenting his resignation at the presidential palace on Thursday, media reported as cited by Mi’raj News Agency (MINA).

Under the plan, Larayedh, of the ruling Islamist Ennahda party, is set to be replaced within 15 days by Mehdi Jomaa, the prime minister- designate, at the head of a government of technocrats that will lead the country to fresh elections.

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“The president will appoint the new Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa shortly, and he will present his new cabinet in the next few days,” Larayedh said.

The new constitution is expected to be voted on next week and planning will begin for new elections.

West-backed media reported Ennahda Party has been under mounting pressure to relinquish power after it was elected in 2011 following a popular uprising that deposed long-time President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Tunisia’s national assembly is in the process of approving a new constitution, and elections for a new government are due to be held later this year.

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An independent authority was established on Wednesday to oversee the upcoming elections, a requirement that Ennahda had set as a condition for stepping down.

The approval of a new constitution, which Ennahda had also demanded in exchange for handing over power, is on track to meet an agreed deadline of January 14, the Tunisian uprising’s three-year anniversary.(T/P04/P03/mirajnews.com)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)