Tunisian PM pledges transparency

At a hand-over ceremony held Monday at the Kasbah in Tunis, the country's new Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali pledged transparency, accountability and good governance as he took over the power from Beji Caid Essebsi. Jebali said the new government will remain at the service of all Tunisians regardless of their political affiliations. Earlier on Monday, the country's new interior minister, Ali Laaraiedh, said that the government will enforce the law against sit-inners and all those obstructing the industrial production. On his part, Caid Essebsi said he was confident that Tunisia would succeed in the fight for development. On Friday, Jebali's government successfully passed a confidence vote at the Constituent Assembly with 154 votes in favor, 38 against and 11 abstentions. The new government was then sworn-in on Sunday before the country's president, Moncef Marzouki. Tunisia's new government faces a number of pressing challenges including bridging the development gap between coastal areas and inland towns, tackling the rampant unemployment and restoring investors' confidence.