Tunisian's interim government is facing more difficulties. On Thursday, the foreign minister announced his resignation. His move came as the Tunisian authorities wish to quell unrest by street protesters who want to oust other aides of ousted former President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
The country's TAP news agency announcement about Foreign Minister Kamel Morjane came as the prime minister was inclined to reveal the makeup of Tunisia's second interim government since Ben Ali fled the country some two weeks ago.
Morjane was quoted by TAP as saying he was resigning "in the interest of Tunisia" to help ensure that Tunisia's "popular revolution" could lead to greater freedom. Like Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi, he had served under Ben Ali.
Meanwhile, in a bid to calm the streets, the authorities started to transfer compensations to the families of the victims and the injured following the riots. The authorities in the Kebili Governorate handed the first part of these reparations to the families of the victims and the wounded during the clashes. A 3,000-dinar amount per person is granted to 3 wounded, and 20,000 dinars are served to each of the two families who lost two of their members. The family of Hatem Bettaher, academic, refused to receive the indemnity. Four people were killed, two in the city of Douz, one in Kebili and another in Souk Lahad, in addition to 13 other wounded people.
