Tunis — The Democratic and Social Path Al-Massar has affirmed its attachment to the neutrality of sovereign departments and the Ministry of Religious Affairs, stressing the need to set election date.

The current stage "really" requires a government of technocrats as proposed by outgoing Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali, said Al-Massar official spokesperson Samir Taieb following his meeting on Tuesday with Prime Minister-designate Ali Larayedh in Carthage.

Samir Taieb expressed his party's refusal to take part in the next government, saying "we will continue to call for dialogue in the interest of the country."

He added it is imperative to launch a national dialogue under the auspices of the Tunisian General Labour Union and reach political consensus between parties to speed up the work of the National Constituent Assembly and finish off drafting the constitution as well as bills to be submitted for discussion.

For his part, Al-Massar political bureau member Jounaidi Abdeljaoued said that "his party will deal with the new government in light of its programme," stressing the importance of accelerating the investigation into opposition leader Chokri Belaid's assassination.

He described as "difficult" the ongoing consultations to form a coalition government, during which Ali Larayedh is striving to "reconcile neutrality and partisan commitments" in the new line-up.