Tunisian Industry minister quits

TUNIS: Tunisian Industry and Technology Minister Mohamed Afif Chelbi, one of only two ministers remaining from the government of ousted President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, has resigned, the official TAP news agency reported on Monday.

Chelbi's departure leaves Mohamed Nouri Jouini, minister for international cooperation, as the only survivor in cabinet from the Ben Ali era.

Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi, who also served as premier under Ben Ali, stepped down on Sunday.

Tunisia has been struggling to restore stability since Ben Ali, who had been in power for 23 years, was forced from office in January by a wave of anti-government protests.

The revolution has provided the inspiration for uprisings in other parts of the Arab world, but since Ben Ali's departure Tunisia has suffered outbreaks of violence and huge protests that have put pressure on the interim government.

The report in the state news agency gave no details on why Chelbi resigned or who would replace him.

Ghannouchi resigned on Sunday after violent protests in the capital over his ties to Ben Ali. He was replaced by Beji Caid Sebsi, a former foreign minister under Tunisia's first post-independence president, Habib Bourguiba.