Tunisians support ruling Islamic party, decry new cabinet plans

Supporters of Tunisia’s ruling Islamic party have taken to the streets of the capital to voice their solidarity with their movement and denounce plans for a new cabinet of technocrats.

Dozens of Ennahda party supporters gathered in central Tunis on Saturday, defending their party’s legitimacy to lead the government amid ongoing talks to solve the political crisis in the country.

Demonstrators chanted slogans such as “Supporting Ennahda is a duty,” jeering the country’s opposition party Call of Tunisia , which portrays itself as an alternative to the ruling Ennahda party.

The gathering was held ahead of a mass rally scheduled for 1300 GMT. The demonstration has been called by Ennahda party to protest Prime Minister Hamadi jebali’s decisions.

Earlier in the day, Jebali held cross-party talks in Tunis to find a political solution following waves of recent protests across the North African country.

The Tunisian premier has also urged all parties to show patience and not to inflame the situation further.

He had earlier promised to announce the new government of technocrats Saturday. However, his plan has now been canceled and rescheduled for Monday.

The prime minister said he would resign if the new cabinet is rejected by the National Constituent Assembly.

The assassination of an opposition leader plunged Tunisia into its worst crisis since the 2011 revolution.

Leftist opposition leader Shokri Belaid was fatally shot outside his home in the capital Tunis on February 6.

Belaid’s assassination triggered violent demonstrations across the country, with the headquarters of the ruling Ennahda party being attacked in more than a dozen cities.

Opposition groups have accused Ennahda of being behind the assassination. However, the party’s leader Rashid al-Ghannushi condemned the act and rejected the allegations.