Tunisian interim PM Ghannouchi resigns over protests

BBC News, 27 February 2011

Tunisian interim Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi has announced on state TV that he is resigning - a key demand of demonstrators.

Mohammed Ghannouchi was seen as too
closely linked to the old regime

He was speaking at a news conference in Tunis, after making a lengthy speech defending his record in government.

Mr Ghannouchi is seen as being too close to former President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, who was toppled in an uprising last month.

Mr Ghannouchi had served under Mr Ben Ali since 1999.

On Friday and Saturday, anti-government protesters held huge rallies calling for Mr Ghannouchi's resignation.

At least three people were killed in clashes between hundreds of demonstrators and security forces in Tunis on Saturday.

Tunisia's government had insisted it was introducing reforms as fast as it could, and that they were planning to hold elections by next July.

But thoses promises did not seem to satisfy the protesters, correspondents say.