Tunisian interim president names new PM

TUNIS. February 8. KAZINFORM Tunisia's interim president Fouad Mebazaa on Sunday named former minister Beji Caid-Essebsi as the country's new prime minister shortly after Mohammed Ghannouchi resigned from his position; Kazinform refers to China Daily.

The 85-year-old new prime minister had served as a defense and interior minister under Bourguiba.

Mohammed Ghannouchi resigned from his prime minister's position earlier Sunday as he had long been accused by protestors of "being too close" to the toppled regime of Ben Ali.

"I have decided to quit as prime minister," Ghannouchi told a news conference, adding "this resignation will serve Tunisia, and the revolution and the future of Tunisia."

The protestors who come from all of the country's regions vowed to pursue their sit-in despite the cold weather and rain, until their demands are satisfied, reported the official press agency TAP; Kazinform cites China Daily.

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