Tunisia's Foreign Minister Kamel Morjane fears his country could tip into chaos as a week-old transitional government continues to be besieged by protests, France's Le Figaro newspaper reported Monday.
In an interview with Le Figaro, Morjane, who served as defence and then foreign minister under dictatorial former president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali, also said he hoped the Jasmine Revolution that ousted Ben Ali on January 14 "bears fruit."
Morjane, 62, was one of around 10 ministers from Ben Ali's cabinet that kept their jobs in the unity government appointed to manage Tunisia's transition to democracy. Their reappointment sparked widespread protests, DPA reported.
Morjane said he saw his job as "helping my country in this delicate period."
"Slogans are nice but we have to get back to work, prepare the elections, restart economic activity as quickly as possible."
"My only fear is that the country tips into chaos," he said, evoking the possibility that "extremist elements, like al-Qaeda" might try to exploit the climate of uncertainty in the north African country.
To appease their critics Morjane and several other ministers last week resigned from the former ruling Constitutional Democratic Rally (RCD).
But the minister said he would always feel an attachment to the party of independence from France.
"We're giving a lot of thought to the future of the RCD and how to make it evolve, in a new democratic context," he said.
Morjane also denied any involvement in Ben Ali's ouster.
"I didn't expect it at all," he said.
He hinted however that the army, which enjoys widespread support in Tunisia, had had a role to play.
Army chief of staff Rachid Amar "follows very closely what is happening in the country," he said.