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Tunisia's Islamists hold rally in capital Tunisia PM Jebali pledges new government 'by next week'
(35 minutes later)
Hundreds of supporters of Tunisia's governing Islamist party are attending a rally in the centre of the capital, Tunis, a day after huge crowds attended a murdered opposition leader's funeral. Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali has pledged to form a new non-partisan government of technocrats by the middle of next week, Tunisian media report.
The demonstrators have gathered outside the National Theatre and are chanting: "We are Muslims, we will not be moved." Mr Jebali told journalists he would quit if his efforts failed.
Ennahda called the rally to defend the National Constituent Assembly's legitimacy and fight against violence. The ruling Islamist Ennahda party earlier refused to back his proposal to appoint a technocratic cabinet.
Opposition supporters have blamed the group for the death of Chokri Belaid. Meanwhile Ennahda supporters are attending a rally in the capital, Tunis, a day after the funeral of opposition leader Chokri Belaid.
Speaking to BBC Arabic after the funeral, Chokri Belaid's widow Basma Khalfawi said she would file a lawsuit against the party's leader, Rachid Ghannouchi. Opposition supporters have blamed the governing party for the murder of Mr Belaid, an anti-Islamist politician who was shot dead on 6 February.
Mr Ghannouchi has condemned the murder and denied any involvement. The government has blamed opponents of democracy. It was the first political assassination in Tunisia since the Arab Spring uprising in 2011 and has sparked angry protests across Tunisia.
Mr Belaid, a lawyer and secular political figure, was shot by a gunman as he left home for work on Wednesday. The previous day he had accused a faction inside Ennahda of being behind attacks on the opposition. Speaking to journalists in Tunis on Saturday, Mr Jebali said he would "present the team no later than the middle of next week", the state-run Tap news agency reports.
Political uncertainty "If it is accepted... I will continue to carry out my duties as head of the government," he is quoted as saying.
"Otherwise, I will ask the president of the republic to find another candidate to form a new government."
On Wednesday, Mr Jebali had announced he would dismiss the current cabinet and form a government of "competent nationals without political affiliation".
Ennahda had opposed Mr Jebali's suggestion, saying he "did not ask the opinion of his party".
'We are Muslims'
Meanwhile the Islamist party organised a rally in Tunis to defend the National Constituent Assembly's legitimacy and fight against violence.
The demonstrators gathered outside the National Theatre, chanting: "We are Muslims, we will not be moved."
Ennahda told its members on its Facebook page that their attendance was required for Saturday afternoon's rally on Habib Bourguiba Avenue, in the centre of the capital.Ennahda told its members on its Facebook page that their attendance was required for Saturday afternoon's rally on Habib Bourguiba Avenue, in the centre of the capital.
The demonstration would defend the Constituent Assembly, the post said. Its work on a new constitution suffered a severe setback when four leftist parties ended their participation following Mr Belaid's killing.The demonstration would defend the Constituent Assembly, the post said. Its work on a new constitution suffered a severe setback when four leftist parties ended their participation following Mr Belaid's killing.
Ennahda said its supporters would also fight against political violence, demand that a law be passed to fortify the January 2011 revolution, and warn France not to interfere in the affairs of the Tunisian state.Ennahda said its supporters would also fight against political violence, demand that a law be passed to fortify the January 2011 revolution, and warn France not to interfere in the affairs of the Tunisian state.
The rallying call by the Islamist group, which has the most seats in the Constituent Assembly, came a day after Mr Belaid's funeral brought as many as a million mourners onto the streets of the capital. Mr Belaid, a lawyer and secular political figure, was shot by a gunman as he left home for work on Wednesday. The previous day he had accused a faction inside Ennahda of being behind attacks on the opposition.
Saturday's rallying call by the Islamist group, which has the most seats in the Constituent Assembly, came a day after Mr Belaid's funeral brought as many as a million mourners onto the streets of the capital.
There were violent scenes at the el-Jellaz cemetery, as cars were torched and police fired tear gas at protesters calling for a new revolution.There were violent scenes at the el-Jellaz cemetery, as cars were torched and police fired tear gas at protesters calling for a new revolution.
Elsewhere in Tunis, many shops shut and most public transport was not running in respect of the first general strike in the country for 35 years.Elsewhere in Tunis, many shops shut and most public transport was not running in respect of the first general strike in the country for 35 years.
Afterwards, Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali repeated his offer to replace the government with a cabinet of technocrats and call early elections. Speaking to BBC Arabic after the funeral, Chokri Belaid's widow Basma Khalfawi said she would file a lawsuit against the party's leader, Rachid Ghannouchi.
However, it is still not clear if that plan has been agreed to by Ennahda. Mr Ghannouchi has said the governing coalition should stay in place. Mr Ghannouchi has condemned the murder and denied any involvement. The government has blamed opponents of democracy.
The BBC's Wyre Davies in Tunis reports that there is a real feeling of political uncertainty in a country that clearly needs strong leadership.The BBC's Wyre Davies in Tunis reports that there is a real feeling of political uncertainty in a country that clearly needs strong leadership.
Two years after the first of the Arab uprisings, many liberal Tunisians accuse Ennahda of allowing ultra-conservative Islamists, or Salafists, to violently impose their version of how their country should develop, our correspondent says.Two years after the first of the Arab uprisings, many liberal Tunisians accuse Ennahda of allowing ultra-conservative Islamists, or Salafists, to violently impose their version of how their country should develop, our correspondent says.
There are fears now that if there are counter-demonstrations by pro-government groups, it may lead to more violence and instability, he adds.There are fears now that if there are counter-demonstrations by pro-government groups, it may lead to more violence and instability, he adds.