Tunisia: Foreign minister quits

Tunisia's foreign minister announced his resignation last night, as authorities sought to quell unrest by street protesters who want to oust other cronies of deposed former president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali.

The TAP news agency announcement about foreign minister Kamel Morjane came as the prime minister was expected to reveal the makeup of Tunisia's second interim government since Mr Ben Ali fled on 14 January after weeks of protests.

Protesters have complained about corruption, repression and the lack of jobs under Mr Ben Ali's rule.

Mr Morjane was quoted as saying he was resigning to help ensure the country's "popular revolution" would lead to greater freedom.