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Tunisia moves to fill power vacuum

Interim leaders in Tunisia launch efforts to form a unity government two days after a historic revolution ousted president Zine El Abidin Ben Ali from power.

Interim President Foued Mebazaa says that he has been discussing a possible unity cabinet with opposition leaders.

“All Tunisians without exception and exclusion must be associated in the political process,” Mebazaa said in a televised address.

Tunisia’s constitutional council says the presidential election must be held within 60 days. Politicians are discussing a presidential election within two months under international supervision.

However, opposition leader Najib Chebbi, who leads the Democratic Progressive Party, says he believes internationally supervised elections could be held within the next six or seven months.

The exiled head of the main Tunisian opposition party, Rached Ghannouchi, has said he plans to return home.

In a separate development, Police have arrested the head of the presidential guard, Ali Seriati, amid growing tensions.

Tunisia’s state news agency says Seriati along with several accomplices will appear in court on charges of fomenting violence and plotting against the security of the country.

Meanwhile, after a few hours of calm, there have been reports of exchanges of fire between the country’s police and unidentified gunmen.

The army has deployed troops in the streets of the capital to prevent violence. Security has been tight in the capital Tunis to counter any possible protest or looting attempts.

Ben Ali’s 23-year rule was toppled after weeks of street protests. His era was marred by repeated human rights violations and torture.

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