Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali named Abdelhamid Salama the country's new youth minister in a partial cabinet reshuffle Wednesday following weeks of unrest after a man killed himself to protest against rampant unemployment.
By News Wires (text)
REUTERS - Tunisian President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali named a new youth minister on Wednesday but left major portfolios unchanged in a partial reshuffle after rare violent protests by jobless youths, official media said.
In addition to the Youth and Sport portfolio, new ministers were appointed for trade and handicrafts, religious affairs and communication, the official TAP news agency reported.
It was the second time Ben Ali had reshuffled his cabinet this year. More significant changes were made in January with the appointment of new finance, defence and foreign affairs ministers.
Abdelhamid Salama was appointed Youth and Sports Minister to replace Samir Labidi, who was appointed Communication Minister.
Ben Ali, speaking after protests by graduates demanding mainly jobs, said on Tuesday that violent protests were unacceptable and would hurt national interests.
Protests have been rare in Tunisia, which has been run for 23 years by Ben Ali and works closely with Western governments to combat al Qaeda militants, but have been gathering force in recent weeks.
The government accused its opponents on Monday of manipulating the clashes in Sidi Bouzid between police and young people on Dec. 19 and 20 to discredit the authorities.
Tunisia has become a regional focus of attention for financial institutions since announcing a plan to complete current account convertibility during 2010-12, and full dinar convertibility in 2013-14.
Tunisia remains prosperous compared with its African peers, but several international right groups say its government crushes dissent, an accusation it denies.
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