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Tunisia Islamist Leader Says New Govt. Coming


The head of Tunisia's largest political party says the country's crisis will be solved by a new government of technocrats and politicians.

The veteran leader of the moderate Islamist Ennahda Party, Rachid Ghannouchi, said the main parties agree on a limited Cabinet that would work toward holding new elections as quickly as possible.

Earlier, Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali said his plan for a strictly non-partisan government did not have sufficient support and he would discuss the next steps with President Moncef Marzouki. He said a solution should emerge "in the coming days."

Ennahda, his party, had rejected his initiative, but said it still wants Mr. Jebali to remain as the head of state.

Tunisia descended into political crisis after secular opposition politician Chokri Belaid was gunned down outside his home in Tunis earlier this month, touching off anti-government riots around the country.

Mr. Jebali proposed his technocrat government initiative to guide the country to new elections in the wake of public outrage over Belaid's murder and had threatened to quit if his plan was rejected.
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