TUNIS (CNN) - At least three Tunisian government officials resigned Monday and Tuesday, the country's official news agency reported, in the wake of the resignation of the prime minister on Sunday. Popular protests in the North African nation led to the resignation of the longtime president in January, prompting a wave of unrest across the Arab world.
But the flight from Tunisia of President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali did not end the protests there, and Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi quit on Sunday. The minister of higher education and scientific research, Ahmad Ibrahim, and the higher education secretary, Faouzia Farida Charfi, both quit on Tuesday, Tunis Afrique Presse reported. Mohamed Nouri Jouini, the planning and international cooperation minister, resigned on Monday, the agency said.
The country's stock market is due to reopen on Thursday, after shutting down Monday, TAP reported.
Tunisia's interim president tapped Al-Baji Qa'ed Al-Sebsi as the country's new prime minister Sunday after Ghannouchi resigned, state-run media reported.
Ghannouchi told reporters Sunday that he was "resigning today because I am not willing to be a person that takes decisions that could cause casualties." Three people were killed during protests in the capital, Tunis, on Saturday. He also questioned "why a lot of people considered their main target to keep attacking the government, although a lot of its members agreed to join in this critical time."
In addition to the three killed, nine others were injured during the mayhem in Tunis, according to an Interior Ministry statement cited by Tunis Afrique Presse. More than 100 people were arrested in the area around Habib Bourguiba Avenue, in the city's center, and accused of "acts of destruction and burning," the ministry said.
Protesters had gathered in the area to demand that the interim government step down and the current parliament be disbanded. Demonstrators also were asking for suspension of the current constitution and the election of an assembly that can write a new one, as well as organize the transition to democracy.
Analysis: "Tunisia remains in a minor state of chaos following the exciting toppling of its President in January. As expected, masses of protesters continue to be dissatisfied with the Ben Ali's former party, the RCD, and its domination of the transitional government. Recently, the government has sought to restore order in Tunisia, putting pressure on protesters to disband. The reaction of the government to continuing protests will define the character of the new regime."
Read the Full Article here: http://edition.cnn.com/2011/WORLD/meast/03/01/tunisia.government/?hpt=T2
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Egypt Agrees to Dates for Referendum, Polls
CAIRO (Reuters) - Egypt's military leaders will hold a referendum on constitutional change on March 19, a parliamentary election in June and a presidential poll six weeks later, a youth activist said on Monday after a meeting.
Zyad El-Elaily and 16 other members of the Coalition of Revolutionary Youth which took part in protests to oust President Hosni Mubarak, said he had met three members of the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces on Sunday. "The armed forces council told us the referendum on constitutional amendments would take place on March 19 and the People's Assembly election would be held in June," Elaily said. "Presidential elections would be held a month and a half later."
The council has yet to set a formal date for the referendum or elections.
Elaily said the council's timeframe for the referendum and the elections reflected its eagerness to hand over power. "The council said it was committed to see a civilian government set up within the six-month period and refused to consider extending the period," Elaily said.
Egypt's new military rulers said on February 13 they would keep control of the country for six months or until parliamentary and presidential elections were held following constitutional amendments.
Voters can use their national identification cards to vote rather than obtaining a voting card -- a procedure that opposition activists and voters said discouraged participation.
The elections will be supervised by the judiciary, which was largely excluded from the last election held under Mubarak that was widely seen as rigged.
Analysis: "The eagerness of Egypt's military rulers to transfer power is a good sign for Egyptians. The role of the military in choosing Egypt's next ruler has been under question since Mubarak's collapse, but they seem genuine in their initial pledges to turn over power in 6 months."
Read the Full Article here: http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE72001T20110301
Zyad El-Elaily and 16 other members of the Coalition of Revolutionary Youth which took part in protests to oust President Hosni Mubarak, said he had met three members of the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces on Sunday. "The armed forces council told us the referendum on constitutional amendments would take place on March 19 and the People's Assembly election would be held in June," Elaily said. "Presidential elections would be held a month and a half later."
The council has yet to set a formal date for the referendum or elections.
Elaily said the council's timeframe for the referendum and the elections reflected its eagerness to hand over power. "The council said it was committed to see a civilian government set up within the six-month period and refused to consider extending the period," Elaily said.
Egypt's new military rulers said on February 13 they would keep control of the country for six months or until parliamentary and presidential elections were held following constitutional amendments.
Voters can use their national identification cards to vote rather than obtaining a voting card -- a procedure that opposition activists and voters said discouraged participation.
The elections will be supervised by the judiciary, which was largely excluded from the last election held under Mubarak that was widely seen as rigged.
Analysis: "The eagerness of Egypt's military rulers to transfer power is a good sign for Egyptians. The role of the military in choosing Egypt's next ruler has been under question since Mubarak's collapse, but they seem genuine in their initial pledges to turn over power in 6 months."
Read the Full Article here: http://af.reuters.com/article/topNews/idAFJOE72001T20110301
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