Tunis — The Congress for the Republic (CPR) party, on Saturday evening, ordered its ministers to quit the current government chaired by Interim Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali, President of the National Council of CPR Chokri Yacoub told TAP Sunday.

The extraordinary national council of the party, which met last week-end (February 2 and 3), had issued a one-week ultimatum "before withdrawing its ministers from the current government" if the agreement negotiated between members of the Troika is not signed. That document provides for the creation of a committee within the Presidency of the Republic representing ruling coalition parties to be responsible for consultations on major political and economic decisions and appointment in senior positions.

According to Mr. Chokri Yacoub, the CPR will hold a press conference on Monday to announce officially the decision to withdraw its ministers from the current government (three ministers and two secretaries of state).

The five CPR members within the government will, however, continue to shoulder their responsibilities within their respective departments to avoid any administrative vacuum, he indicated.

In response to a question on CPR's position about the government of technocrats announced by the PM, Mr. Chokri Yacoub said his party will support this proposal if it will be submitted to the National Constituent Assembly (NCA).

"For the sake of neutrality, the CPR refrains from suggesting names for this government," he stressed.

CPR has three ministers: Employment, Public Property and Women's Affairs and two secretaries of state: Foreign Affairs and Youth and Sports.