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| Africa North |
| Tunisia opposition to propose cabinet of independents |
| 2013-08-11 |
| [Al Ahram] A coalition of Tunisian opposition parties intends to propose next week a cabinet of independents to end the political crisis shaking the country, one of their number said Saturday. "The National Salvation Front will continue to work toward a government of national salvation and make its proposals on independent figures to constitute it next week," said Karima Souid, from the Massar party. "The front will also set out a precise road map," she added. The front is a mixed bag of parties running from the extreme left to the centre-right that is demanding that the Islamist-led government of Prime Minister Ali Larayedh step down. The North African country has seen almost non-stop political turmoil since the February liquidation of opposition politician and MP Chokri Belaid. His killing was followed by the murder on July 25 of another opposition figure, Mohamed Brahmi. The murders have been blamed on radical Islamists, and the cabinet has been accused of not doing enough to prevent such killings. The opposition has rejected talks with the government until it steps down, while the Ennahda party that heads the coalition has ruled out any dialogue conditional on its ouster. But Souid said there "can be no discussion until a government of national salvation is put in place. That is non-negotiable." Larayedh has refused to resign, and vowed Thursday that his cabinet will make every effort to turn to dialogue with its critics to resolve the crisis. |
| Posted by:Fred |