Tunis — Caretaker Prime Minister Béji Caïd Essebsi pointed out that the Interim Government's programme for the coming period and its priorities as announced, on Thursday, by Interim President Foued Mebazaa, consist in restoring the State's prestige which has noticeably deteriorated in the past period and re-establishing order and security in all regions and institutions, "as the country is on the verge of the abyss," to definitely break off with the old regime and suspend the 1959 Constitution.
Talking during a news conference held on Friday in Tunis, with attendance of the government members, the chief of staff of the armed forces and several representatives of the national, Arab and international press, Mr. Caïd Essebsi pointed out that the Interim President and Prime Minister would not run for the next presidential election, adding that those ministers wishing to do so should quit the government.
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