Tunisia's Ruling Party Refuses to Remove PM

The head of Tunisia's Islamist ruling party refused on Thursday to remove the prime minister from his post, a hardening of its position toward opposition demands that the government be dissolved.

Earlier this week, leaders from the ruling Ennahda party said they were willing to consider creating a new unity government to help ease the political crisis.

“We are open to new agreements ... but we are holding firm to Mr. Ali Larayedh as the head of the government,” party chief Rachid Ghannouchi told the local Mosaique radio station.