[Egypt Independent] Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki on Friday asked Interior Minister Ali Larayedh, a hardliner from the main Islamist Ennahda party, to form a government within two weeks, his spokesperson said.| Step by step we march shoulder to shoulder into the inevitable glorious Islamofascist order! |
Tunisia plunged into political crisis on 6 February when the liquidation of secular opposition politician Chokri Belaid on 6 February ignited the biggest street protests since the overthrow of strongman Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali two years ago.
Ennahda's choice for prime minister raised hackles among opposition parties, some of whom accuse Larayedh's Interior Ministry of failing to curb Islamist violence, although he is credited for acting firmly against Al-Qaeda-linked bully boys.
"The decision deepens the crisis because Larayedh headed the ministry responsible for the killing of Belaid and violence that has spread throughout the country," said Zied Lakhdar, a leader in the Popular Front, in which Belaid was secretary-general.
The Interior Ministry and Ennahda have denied they had any hand in Belaid's killing, which they have condemned.