20110117
xinhua

TUNIS, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- A new government will be formed in Tunisia on Monday, Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi said on state television.

The creation of the new government will be announced on Monday, which will help the country enter a new stage, Ghannouchi said in a statement.

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Tunisia's ex-interior minister arrested: TV

TUNIS, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- Former Tunisian Interior Minister Rafiq Belhaj Kacem was arrested on Sunday, Doha-based al-Jazerra TV reported.

Kacem, who has been sacked by deposed Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in early December in an attempt to quell the protests, was captured in his hometown of Beja, about 110 km west of the capital Tunis.Full story

Tunisian security forces arrest eight foreign nationals

TUNIS, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Tunisian army and security forces arrested eight foreign nationals including four Germans, the Tunisian television reported Sunday.

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Tunisian acting president asks PM to form new gov't

TUNIS, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia's acting president Foued Mebazaa, the former speaker of the parliament, said he has asked Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi to form a coalition government, Dubai-based al-Arabiya TV reported.

In a televised speech, Mebazaa said the ultimate national interest requires the formation of a national unity government. Full story