Tunisia’s ruling party chief has said the government will not step down under pressure from the opposition, even as fresh protests were being readied Tuesday to demand just that.

Tunisia's ruling party chief has said the government will not step down under pressure from the opposition, even as fresh protests were being readied Tuesday to demand just that.

Rached Ghannouchi's remarks were published by La Presse newspaper, as protests emerged in the country after a political assassination in February was followed by another last month.

There are excessive demands at protests for the dissolution of the elected government," Ghannouchi told La Presse.

"In democratic regimes, protests don't change governments; it's under dictatorial regimes that a demonstration is able to topple a regime.

"Unfortunately every time a tragedy hits us, we immediately call for the dissolution of the government and parliament," Ghannouchi added.

A mixed bag of opposition parties, running from the extreme left to the center-right, is planning a massive protest in Tunis at 2000 GMT to mark six months since opposition politician Chokri Belaid was gunned down outside his home.

"There are 500 to 600 terrorist suspects imprisoned in jails," Ghannouchi added, without giving further details.