In an interview with Tunisian television on Friday, Mohammed Ghannouchi said the transition rule will lead to legislative and presidential elections “in the shortest possible timeframe.”
“After the transition, I will retire from political life,” Ghannouchi said promising to stage "transparent and democratic elections -- the first since independence" from France in 1956.
"My role is to bring my country out of this temporary phase and even if I am nominated I will refuse it and leave politics," Ghannouchi said.
He also said: "all undemocratic laws will be scrapped" during the transition to democracy, mentioning electoral, anti-terrorism and media laws.
PROTESTS CONTINUE
After a month of widespread protests which force Ben Ali, who was for 23 years in power, to fled to Saudi Arabia, protesters have continued to demand the departure of all remnants of the ex-president’s old guard.
The prime minister, who occupied the same post in the previous government before the downfall of Ben Ali exactly a week ago, was speaking as protesters Friday called for all old regime figures to be removed from government.
"Like all Tunisians, I was afraid" under Ben Ali, Ghannouci said in the interview, his ever first direct address to the nation.
Earlier in the day, thousands of Tunisians gathered in front of the interior ministry, demanding the dissolution of the new interim government.
The protesters marched down the Avenue Habib Bourguiba on Friday morning in Tunis, chanting anti-government slogans.
Police blocked the protesters at the interior ministry and prepared water cannons, media reports said. Protesters soon dispersed, with many heading towards the headquarters of the main labor union, calling for a general strike.
Abid Briki, deputy head of the powerful labor union, UGTT, told AFP news agency: "The executive committee of the UGTT met today and called for the dissolution of the government and the formation of a new government for national salvation."
The union has refused to recognize the new government announced on Monday, in which key figures from the Ben Ali regime hold powerful posts, withdrawing its three appointees.
River to Sea
Uprooted Palestinian
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