Tunisian PM announces plan to form new govt

Tunisian protesters shout slogans during a demonstration after the death of Tunisian opposition leader Chokri Belaid (pictured on flag), outside the Interior ministry in Tunis, Feb 6, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

TUNIS - Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali on Wednesday announced his plan to form a new government of technocrats to lead the country until elections take place as the assassination of an opposition leader sparked widespread protests in the North African country.

Jebali made the announcement in a televised address to the nation following the killing of Chokri Belaid, leader of the Popular Front and an outspoken critic, those death prompted Tunisians to take to the streets and clash with the policemen.

Late on Wednesday, the interior ministry said a Tunisian policemen was killed in the clashes in the capital Tunis, adding that the protesters also ransacked some stores.

For months, Tunisia's ruling Islamic Ennahdha party has been engaged in talks with its secular coalition partners over the assignment of government posts. The talks have made little progress as Ennahdha hardliners strongly reject distributing key portfolios to independents.

Jebali, a moderate compared with Ennahdha hardliners, said Belaid's assassination quickened his decision to form a government of technocrats without political affiliations.

Earlier, a number of opposition parties, including the Popular Front, Al Joumhoury, Al Massar and Nida Tounes, called for a general strike on Thursday in response to Belaid being shot dead outside his home in Tunis.

These parties also called their representatives to boycott the Constitutional Assembly.

Belaid's assassination sparked angry protests in Tunis and the southern town of Sidi Bouzid. Hours after news about Belaid's death, thousands of Tunisians flocked to the capital's main avenue to denounce the politically-motivated assassination and demand the departure of the current government. Police used tear gas to disperse them.

No one has yet claimed responsibility for the killing. However, in an interview with French news TV channel France 24, Belaid's widow openly accused Ennahdha of being behind her husband's assassination.

French President Francois Hollande condemned the Tunisian secularist politician's assassination, and voiced his country's "concern over the rise of political violence in Tunisia".