Tunisia Sets Date For Parliamentary Elections

Tunisia Sets Date For Parliamentary Elections

Tunisia's interim president, Fouad Mebazaa has set parliamentary election date for July 24 .

The country's official news agency reported that Mebazaa said he plans to continue serving in his interim role until the new parliament begins to work.

Resignations

At least three Tunisian government officials resigned Monday and Tuesday, in the wake of the resignation of the prime minister on Sunday.

Popular protests in the North African nation led to the resignation of the long-time president in January, prompting a wave of unrest across the Arab world.

But the flight from Tunisia President, Zine Ben Ali did not end the protests there, and Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi quit on Sunday.

The minister of Higher Education and scientific research, Ahmad Ibrahim, and the Higher Education Secretary, Faouzia Charfi, both quit on Tuesday.

Mohamed Jouini, the Planning and International Cooperation minister, also resigned on Monday.

After Ghannouchi resigned, Tunisia's interim president tapped Al-Baji Qa'ed Al-Sebsi as the country's new prime minister.

Ghannouchi said that he was resigning because he was not willing to be a person that would takes decisions that could cause casualties. Three people were killed during protests in the capital, Tunis.

An Interior Ministry source said that in addition to the three killed, nine others were injured during the mayhem in Tunis.

More than 100 people were arrested in the area around Habib Bourguiba Avenue, in the city's center, and accused of "acts of destruction and burning," the ministry said.

Protesters had gathered in the area to demand that the interim government step down and the parliament be disbanded.

Suspension of the constitution

Demonstrators were also asking for suspension of the constitution and election of an assembly that can write a new one, as well as organize the transition to democracy.

Protests in Tunisia erupted after the self-immolation suicide of a fruit cart vendor in December.

The protests were against corruption, unemployment and escalating prices of food.

By mid-January, Ben Ali -- who had ruled Tunisia since 1987 -- had turned executive power over to his prime minister and fled the country.

CNN/Margaret/ Qasim