Tunisian PM's ruling party rejects his proposal to dismiss government

Tunisia's ruling Islamist Ennahda party on Thursday rejected Prime Minister Hamdi Jebali's proposal to dissolve the government and install a cabinet of technocrats in a bid to restore calm after the killing of an opposition leader.
   
"The prime minister did not ask the opinion of his party," said Abdelhamid Jelassi, Ennahda's vice-president. "We in Ennahda believe Tunisia needs a political government now. We will continue discussions with others parties about forming a coalition government."
   
Jebali announced he was dissolving the government on Wednesday after leading secular opposition politician Chokri Belaid was gunned down outside his home in Tunis, sending protesters onto the streets across the country.

On another front, France announced it will close its schools in the Tunisian capital Tunis on Friday and Saturday over fears of violent protests against the Wednesday killing of opposition leader Chokri Belaid, the French embassy said.
   
"French schools in Tunisia will be exceptionally closed on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 February 2013," the embassy said in a statement on its website on Thursday.

This as the Tunisian labor union leaders agreed on a general strike to be held on Friday.

Meanwhile, the Tunisian police fired teargas in Tunis to disperse protesters near the interior ministry, a witness said.


REUTERS