Tunis: Tunisian President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali removed his communications minister on Wednesday in a cabinet reshuffle following violent protests in the north African country, his government said.
Oussama Romdhani will be replaced at the Communications Ministry by Samir Abidi, the minister for youth and sport, Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi announced.
The opposition Democratic Progressive Party, which does not have a seat in Parliament, had earlier called for the sacking of Romdhani and the country's interior minister.
Ben Ali said on Tuesday he was concerned by recent tension in the Sidi Bouzid region, which has been linked to the high youth unemployment rate.
Tensions flared on December 17 when a 26-year-old man who was selling fruit and vegetables on the streets set himself on fire after police confiscated his produce.
One protester died in clashes between mostly unemployed youths and government security forces on December 24.
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, December 30, 2010, 11:25