Tunisian foreign minister Kamel Morjane resigns (original) (raw)

Tunisia's foreign minister, Kamel Morjane, has announced his resignation, state media reported, as authorities sought to appease protesters who want to oust other peers of the deposed former president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.

The announcement came as the prime minister, Mohamed Ghannouchi, was expected to reveal the makeup of Tunisia's second interim government since Ben Ali fled the country on 14 January after weeks of protests over corruption, repression and the lack of jobs under his rule.

Morjane was quoted as saying he was resigning "in the interest of Tunisia" to help ensure that Tunisia's "popular revolution" could lead to greater freedom.

Like Ghannouchi, he had served under Ben Ali but remained in power amid the government's promised transition to democracy.

The caretaker government includes some former opposition leaders, but many top posts were retained by cronies of Ben Ali. Demonstrators want those old-guard lawmakers removed.

Ghannouchi has been trying to replace five ministers who resigned shortly after his caretaker government was formed.