Tunisia Foreign Minister Kamel Morjane resigns

BBC News, 27 January 2011 

Tunisian Foreign Minister Kamel Morjane has quit the country's new interim government, state TV reports.

Mr Morjane's resignation comes ahead
 of an expected cabinet shake-up

His resignation comes after days of protests demanding a purge of members of the party of ousted President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali.

Mr Morjane quit the RCD party last week, but that has not proved enough to appease protesters.

On Wednesday Tunisia issued an international arrest warrant for Mr Ben Ali, who is now in Saudi Arabia.

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Mr Ben Ali - who fled the country on 14 January - is accused of illegally acquiring property and assets and transferring funds abroad during his presidency.

Cabinet shake-up

"I have decided to renounce my functions of foreign minister," Mr Morjane was quoted as saying by AFP news agency in a written statement.

"I wish success to those who will take part in the government during this period of transition." 

Protesters demand politicians from the
old administration stand down

Mr Morjane was one of the eight ministers - including PM Mohammed Ghannouchi - from the last government who had stayed on in the interim cabinet.

His resignation comes ahead of an expected government overhaul aimed at trying to appease protesters who demand that members of the old regime quit the cabinet.

On Wednesday, police in the capital Tunis fired tear gas at hundreds of demonstrators after they reportedly tried to breach barricades around the prime minister's office.

Mr Ghannouchi has said he will quit "in the shortest possible timeframe" and promised to hold elections with six months.