Tunisia leader fight sharpens

TUNIS: Tunisia’s parliament yesterday approved a Cabinet reshuffle that deepened the conflict between the prime minister and the president, as hundreds protested outside the heavily barricaded parliament over social inequality and police abuses.

Riot police used water cannon on the protesters, trying to quell the largest rally since demonstrations began this month.

Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi named 11 new ministers and said he hoped that would inject new blood into his Government.

‘‘Young people protesting outside parliament reminds us of our priorities. Their protests are legitimate and the Government will listen to the angry youth,’’ he said.

But President Kais Saied indicated on Tuesday he would reject the Cabinet reshuffle, condemned the absence of women among the new ministers and said some likely new Cabinet members might have conflicts of interest. Saied, who appointed Mechichi last year, said he would not swear in any ministers suspected of corruption.

Police blocked the march with barricades to prevent protesters approaching the parliament building where lawmakers were debating the reshuffle.

Protests flared earlier this month on the 10th anniversary of Tunisia’s revolution that inspired that Arab Spring and introduced democracy in the North African country. Political paralysis and economic decline have soured many Tunisians on the fruits of the uprising. — Reuters