Ghannouchi dropped key figures of old regime from the cabinet which was widely criticized after the ouster of ex-president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Tunisia’s interim Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi dropped key figures of old regime from the cabinet which was widely criticized after the ouster of ex-president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

There was none of the usual chants and slogans among the hundreds of anti-government protesters who have camped out in front of Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi's offices in Tunis since Sunday.
However there was also no sign that they were packing up just yet, and there were continuing calls for Ghannouchi to fall on his sword as well.

"The majority want to continue to bring down Ghannouchi. The whole government has to go, especially Ghannouchi," said Khaled Salhi, a 22-year-old student who called Thursday night's cabinet reshuffle just "playing for time."
Ghannouchi said he would stay in his post as the country prepares for parliamentary and presidential elections which are expected to be held in the coming months.

He added the elections will be organized by an independent national commission and overseen by international observers to ensure the vote is "honest and transparent."
"This is a temporary government with a clear mission - to allow a transition to democracy," he said in a live television address on Thursday.

"Its mission is to organize elections in which the people will be completely free to choose."
The new cabinet, Tunisia's second in 10 days, includes 12 new ministers and keeps nine from the previous set-up. The newcomers include Farhat Rajhi, interior minister, and Abdelkrim Zbidi, defense minister.
Two other former allies of Ben Ali remain.

Kamel Morjane, who announced his resignation shortly before the reshuffle was announced, was replaced as foreign minister by Ahmed Ounais -- a Paris-educated career diplomat and former ambassador to Moscow and New Delhi.
Farhat Rajhi, a former chief prosecutor, was appointed as interior minister and Abdelkarim Zebidi, a medical professor, took over defense.

Tunisia's main trade union, the UGTT, which played a key role in anti-Ben Ali protests and had refused to recognize the interim cabinet, said it now approved of Ghannouchi staying in power.