New Tunisian government sworn in

Tunisia's new government, led by Prime Minister Ali Lareyedh, was sworn in Wednesday evening after winning a parliamentary confirmation with a majority of 139 votes. Members of the new government read the oath of office before President Moncef Marzouki and Lareyedh. Marzouki described Lareyedh as "a sincere and patient fighter" and hailed his resistance to former President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali and his efforts towards preserving law and order as minister of interior in former PM Hamadi Jebali's cabinet. The president urged the new government to adhere to "a clear programme" centred around security and stability, but said the new cabinet cannot "wave a magical wand" to rid the country of "the tsunami of problems" which it faces. He also highlighted high living expenses, the smuggling of goods and corruption as some of the problems in need of urgent attention. Marzouki called on the National Constituent Assembly (NCA) to back the government's efforts by appointing a final deadline for drafting the constitution and holding elections. This date, he said, must be set before October. The measure "would be our only way out of the hurricane zone," Marzouki said. The president expressed his gratitude to the security and army establishments and called for calm among the opposition and urged them to avoid "verbal violence" and abandon "absurd rivalries." "A true opposition proposes alternatives and acts within the limits of constructive criticisim," he said.