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Tunisia PM Jebali pledges new government 'by next week' Tunisia PM Jebali pledges new government 'by next week'
(about 5 hours 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 technocratic government by the middle of next week.
Mr Jebali told journalists he would quit if his efforts failed. Mr Jebali told reporters in Tunis that he would quit if his efforts failed.
The ruling Islamist Ennahda party on Wednesday refused to back his proposal to appoint a technocratic cabinet. He first made the proposal on Wednesday after the killing of opposition leader Chokri Belaid triggered protests. But his Islamist Ennahda party has opposed the plan for a non-partisan cabinet.
Meanwhile Ennahda supporters attended 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 Mr Belaid's funeral.
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 his assassination - an accusation it denies.
It was the first political assassination in Tunisia since the Arab Spring uprising in 2011 and has sparked angry protests across Tunisia. The opposition has called for the government to stand down and four groups - including Mr Belaid's Popular Front - have pulled out of the constituent assembly, which is controlled by Ennahda.
Speaking to journalists in Tunis on Saturday, Mr Jebali said he would "present the team no later than the middle of next week". On Saturday, Mr Jebali said he would "present the team no later than the middle of next week".
"All the ministries will be independent, including the interior, justice and foreign affairs ministries," he is quoted as saying."All the ministries will be independent, including the interior, justice and foreign affairs ministries," he is quoted as saying.
"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.""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 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 said the prime minister "did not ask the opinion of his party".
'We are Muslims''We are Muslims'
Meanwhile the governing Islamist party organised a rally in Tunis to defend the National Constituent Assembly's legitimacy and fight against violence. Meanwhile Ennadha organised a rally in Tunis to defend legitimacy of the constituent assembly.
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 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.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.
Groups of protesters were chanting: "We are Muslims, we will not be moved."Groups of protesters were chanting: "We are Muslims, we will not be moved."
Many at the rally rejected allegations that Ennahda was ultimately responsible for the death of Mr Belaid, our correspondent says. 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 says.
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. With pro- and anti-government protests almost daily, a compromise is long overdue, 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. Mr Belaid's killing was the first political assassination in Tunisia since the Arab Spring uprising in 2011 and has sparked angry protests across Tunisia.
With pro- and anti-government protests almost daily, a compromise is long overdue, he says. One police officer has been killed and 59 injured in rallies Wednesday, the Tunisian interior ministry said.
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. Police have also detained about 375 protesters, the ministry added.
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 rally came a day after Mr Belaid's funeral brought as many as a million mourners onto the streets of the capital.
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 Belaid, a lawyer and secular political figure, was shot by a gunman as he left home for work. The previous day he had accused a faction inside Ennahda of being behind attacks on the opposition.
Speaking to BBC Arabic after the funeral, Mr Belaid's widow 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.