TUNIS, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- Tunisia's ruling Ennahdha said Friday on its official website that it has nominated Ali Laarayedh, currently the interior minister, as the candidate for the prime minister's post, after the resignation of Hamadi Jebali.
The nomination is of a little surprise as informed sources told Xinhua on Thursday that the current Justice Minister Nourreddine Bhiri, a member of Ennahdha, was mostly likely to be given the candidancy, while Laarayedh and Agriculture Minister Mohamed Ben Salem were potential names as well.
Jebali declined Thursday ruling party Ennahdha's offer to form a new cabinet while called on Tunisians to help the outgoing cabinet "accomplish its mission until the completion of the new government."
Jebali, who tendered his resignation to President Moncef Marzouki on Tuesday, said he would accept to form a new cabinet of technocrats on the condition that its members were independents. But Ennahdha consistently refused Jebali's conditions, calling for a government of a combination of politicians and technocrats.
