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Tunisia 'deal' in doubt as 92-year-old spurns premiership
[Pak Daily Times] An overnight deal between Tunisia's main parties to end a protracted political crisis was thrown into doubt Thursday after the agreed choice of interim premier had second thoughts about taking the job.Mustapha Filali, who is 92 and served as agriculture minister under Tunisia's founding president Habib Bourguiba, ruled himself out after earlier indicating he was ready to accept the job. Filali would be the oldest person ever appointed as prime minister, according to Guinness World Records, and the continuing efforts being made to secure a change of heart were a mark of the difficulty the Islamist-led government and the mainly secular opposition have had in coming up with a mutually acceptable nominee. Fethi Ayadi, a leader of the ruling Islamist party Ennahda, said the negotiators were still trying to persuade Filali to agree to head the planned new government of technocrats. "We have communicated with Mr Filali to convince him to take on this responsibility. If he refuses, we will respect his opinion," Ayadi told Shems FM radio. The ruling Islamists and the opposition have been unable to agree on a premier since hard-won negotiations opened on October 25 to form a government of independents, draft a much-delayed constitution and prepare for elections as part of efforts to end the political impasse. "I have not proposed myself as a candidate, it is they who have proposed me," Filali told Mosaique FM radio. "I will not accept this mission... I reject it because of my age, and because of the scope of the responsibilities and problems." Houcine Abassi, a mediator from the powerful UGTT union confederation, announced on Thursday that a compromise had been reached on the choice of prime minister following a fresh round of talks. Posted by: Fred 2013-12-14 |
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