Tunisia's Cabinet Lifts Political Party Ban
VOA News 20 January 2011
Tunisia's new transitional Cabinet has decided to grant recognition to banned political parties and to adopt a general amnesty for political prisoners.
Officials announced the decisions Thursday, following the interim government's first Cabinet meeting since last week's ouster of former president Zine El Abidene Ben Ali.
The Cabinet also declared a three-day period of mourning that will begin Friday for the victims of the unrest that toppled the government.
Meanwhile, Tunisian state television says Mr. Ben Ali's RCD party has announced it has dissolved its leadership committee.
The party took the action after many leadership members quit the party in the wake of demands that the new government exclude former ruling party members. However, the state TV report says the party will continue to operate.
Earlier Thursday, security forces in Tunis fired warning shots at protesters who gathered outside of the headquarters of the RCD. Large demonstrations also took place in the towns of Gafsa and Kef.
The new protests erupted after interim President Fouad Mebazza promised a complete "break with the past," during an address carried on state television late Wednesday.
Mr. Mebazza and Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi were among the leadership members who quit the RCD party, in an attempt to distance themselves from the former president.
Also Wednesday, state television reported the arrests of 33 members of Mr. Ben Ali's extended family trying to flee the country. The reports showed images of seized gold and jewelry.
Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.
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