Tunisia's Interior Minister Hedi Majdoud, Defence Minister Farhat Horchani, Justice Minister, Ghazi Jribi and premier-designate Youssef Chahed, (back row from L-R) Foreign Minister Khemaies Jhinaoui, Minister of Religious Affairs Abdeljalil Ben Salem, Minister of Finance Lamia Zribi and Minister to the Head of State for Parliament Relations Iyad Dahmani attend a parliamentary session to present his Chahed's governement at the parliament in Tunis on August 26, 2016. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)

TUNIS, Aug. 27 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia's new national unity government was sworn in on Saturday before President Beji Caid Essebsi, after approval from parliament.

The government, headed by Youssef Chahed, 40, is composed of 26 ministers and 14 secretaries of state.

The new prime minister is a member of the president's Nidaa Tounes party.

It is the first time for Tunisia to unite liberals, Islamists, nationalists, figures from the left wing and independents.

Late Friday, parliament approved the cabinet line-up, with 168 out 195 lawmakers who attended the session voting in favour, 22 against and five abstaining.

The new cabinet will take up office on Monday after a hand-over ceremony from outgoing premier Habib Essid.