New Tunisia 'Lacks Transparency,' Says Resigning Official

Ben Ali left in January, but it's old tricks in Tunis, according to Tunisian politicians.

Tunisia's Interior Ministry spokesperson resigned Monday, due to the Ministry's lack of transparency with the media.

Since his appointment after former Tunisian President Ben Ali's ouster in January, Ministry spokesperson Neji Ziiri pushed for free and transparent media environment, he told Radio France Internationale, But it became clear that the room for maneuver remains very limited so I resigned.

Following Ziiri's resignation, Interior Minister Habib Essid replaced Ziiri with Mohamed Hichem Moueddeb, a high-ranking police officer.

And transparency in the media isn't the only problem confronting Tunisia's foundling democracy.

The Tunisian Islamist party Ennahda announced last week that it withdrew from the nations reform panel, charged with overseeing a free and democratic election later this year, claiming that it is pushing back election to avoid relinquishing power.

The committee is trying to take over the role of an elected parliamentary body, Reuters reported Ghannouchi saying at the same conference.

Who are you to want to decide the essential laws for the people, Agence France-Presse reported the leader saying at a press conference to announce his withdrawal.

Ghannouchi also complained that the panel does not operate on the consensus of its members, which he believes would more accurately represent the will of the Tunisian people.

He announced that he will return to the panel if the reform panel reconsiders its modus operandi.

Ennahda means renaissance in Arabic. The group is inspired by the Muslim Brotherhood in Egypt.