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Tunisian industry minister resigns after weekend clashes

Arab World Materials 28 February 2011 19:30 (UTC +04:00)

The industry minister in Tunisia's transitional government bowed to calls for his resignation Monday, a day after prime minister Mohammed Ghannouchi stepped down, TAP news agency reported.

Mohammed Afif Chelbi was one of the few remaining ministers in the government who, like Ghannouchi, had served under ousted leader Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali.

Their resignations followed clashes between security forces and thousands of demonstrators in Tunis over the weekend, which left at least six dead. The demonstrators were demanding a complete change of government.

Beji Caid Essebsi, 84, a former prime minister in the administration of post-independence leader Habib Bourguiba, has been named to replace him.

Essebi's unity government is tasked with running the country until elections, scheduled to be held by mid-July.

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