20110525
PressTV
Tunisia is set to hold elections for a Constituent Assembly on July 24 despite calls from the election commission for a delay until October.

Government spokesman Taieb Baccouche made the announcement after the council of ministers had thoroughly discussed a proposal to postpone the vote.

"We are committed to offering the commission all the means it needs to organize these elections," he said, adding that "the commission proposed the delay without conferring with the government first."

The constituent assembly will be charged with drawing up a new constitution. It will also have to prepare for elections to replace the transitional government.

Earlier, the election commission had called for a delay until October 16 in order to make necessary preparations.

Demonstrators have demanded the resignation of the transitional government, which still includes figures from the ousted regime of former ruler Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Tensions have been climbing in Tunisia following reports of a possible coup by elements loyal to Ben Ali.

This will be the first election since the overthrow of former president Ben Ali in January.

Ben Ali fled to Saudi Arabia following a popular uprising in January after 23 years in power.

The Tunisian uprising later served as an inspiration for other North African states, including Egypt and Libya.