Tunisia took the first step towards stability

The Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi, appointed several opposition figures in a new unity government, seeking political stability after violent protests in the streets did fall to the president. Ghannouchi said the government was committed to the release of political prisoners, and that anyone with a great wealth or suspected of corruption would be investigated.

He also said that all political parties upon request must be authenticated. Previously, about a thousand people took to the streets to demand that the Democratic Constitutional Rally (RCD) of former President Zine al Abidine Ben Ali left office and some said they would not accept members of the previous government on the new Executive.

On the streets of the capital, some Tunisians were skeptical. Security forces used water cannons and fired shots into the air to disperse the protest, which ended peacefully. Parliament President Feud Mebaza, who was sworn in as interim president, had asked Ghannouchi form a government of national unity and constitutional authorities said presidential elections would be held within 60 days.

The hasty departure of Ben Ali on Friday after weeks of violent street protests shook the whole Arab world, whose autocratic leaders lead equally repressive government. The Tunisian interior minister, Ahmed Friaa, told state television that at least 78 people were killed and 94 were wounded in the rioting and the cost so far of damage and business losses was two billion dollars.

The wave of protests against unemployment, bribery and repression that ousted the president hit the stock and currency markets from Jordan to Morocco and investors are waiting to whether the Tunisian accept the unity government, and if the disturbances spread abroad. Three historic leaders of the opposition forces, two of whom were not even represented in parliament, entering the government for the first time in the history of Tunisia.

The Renewal Movement leader, Ahmed Ibrahim, with two deputies in parliament will be in the Higher Education portfolio. The secretary general of the Democratic Forum for Labour and Liberties (FDTL), Mustapha Ben Jaafar, on Health and the historic leader of the Progressive Democratic Party (PDP), Najib Chabbi Regional Development.

Six former members of the Government of Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in the Executive remain in key positions, such as Prime Minister, the Foreign Office, Interior, the Defense or Finance. The new government also included civil society representatives.

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