This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-21394031

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Tunisia PM Jebali pledges new government 'by next week' Tunisia PM Jebali pledges new government 'by next week'
(35 minutes later)
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.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.
Mr Jebali told journalists he would quit if his efforts failed.Mr Jebali told journalists he would quit if his efforts failed.
The ruling Islamist Ennahda party earlier refused to back his proposal to appoint a technocratic cabinet. The ruling Islamist Ennahda party on Wednesday refused to back his proposal to appoint a technocratic cabinet.
Meanwhile Ennahda supporters are attending a rally in the capital, Tunis, a day after the funeral of opposition leader Chokri Belaid. Meanwhile Ennahda supporters attended a rally in the capital, Tunis, a day after the funeral of opposition leader Chokri Belaid.
Opposition supporters have blamed the governing party for the murder of Mr Belaid, an anti-Islamist politician who was shot dead on 6 February.Opposition supporters have blamed the governing party for the murder of Mr Belaid, an anti-Islamist politician who was shot dead on 6 February.
It was the first political assassination in Tunisia since the Arab Spring uprising in 2011 and has sparked angry protests across Tunisia.It was the first political assassination in Tunisia since the Arab Spring uprising in 2011 and has sparked angry protests across Tunisia.
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. Speaking to journalists in Tunis on Saturday, Mr Jebali said he would "present the team no later than the middle of next week".
"If it is accepted... I will continue to carry out my duties as head of the government," he is quoted as saying. "All the ministries will be independent, including the interior, justice and foreign affairs ministries," he is quoted as saying.
"Otherwise, I will ask the president of the republic to find another candidate to form a new government." "If it is accepted... I will continue to carry out my duties as head of the government. 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".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".Ennahda had opposed Mr Jebali's suggestion, saying he "did not ask the opinion of his party".
'We are Muslims''We are Muslims'
Meanwhile the Islamist party organised a rally in Tunis to defend the National Constituent Assembly's legitimacy and fight against violence. Meanwhile the governing 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." Demonstrators also demanded that a law be passed to fortify the January 2011 revolution, and warned France not to interfere in the affairs of the Tunisian state.
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 demonstrators and more conservative Salafi Muslims congregated on the steps of the National Theatre and marched down the main Bourguiba Avenue, the BBC's Wyre Davies reports from Tunis.
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. Groups of protesters were chanting: "We are Muslims, we will not be moved."
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. Many at the rally rejected allegations that Ennahda was ultimately responsible for the death of Mr Belaid, our correspondent says.
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. There were also highly critical chants against the French government, which in recent days had appeared to openly side with Tunisia's opposition, he adds.
This is a critical time for Tunisia as Islamist parties on the one hand and liberal, secular groups on the other are divided in their views on how the country should develop, our correspondent reports.
With pro- and anti-government protests almost daily, a compromise is long overdue, he says.
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.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. 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.
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.
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.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.
Mr Ghannouchi has condemned the murder and denied any involvement. The government has blamed opponents of democracy.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.
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.