Tunisian leaders nix non-partisan government

Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali asked all political parties to find a new solution after his plan for a technocratic government failed to win approval. Jebali's proposal was not approved by the majority of the National Constituent Assembly members who met Monday to discuss the prime minister's idea of a non-partisan Cabinet, Tunisia Live reported. "I am not pessimistic," Jebali said after the meeting. "I call on all political parties to find new solutions." Leaders of several political parties said they wanted a political Cabinet, not a non-partisan one as suggested by Jebali. However, Mouldi Fehem, representing the opposition Al Joumhouri, told Tunisia Live his party wants a national coalition party that does not exclude any party. Fehem said he suspects negotiations will lead to the formation of a government has both independent and affiliated politicians. "It would be best if the main ministries remain neutral while all political parties are included in the rest of the government," he said.