Tunisian prime minister announces resignation

Tunisian Prime Minister Ali Larayedh announced his resignation Thursday as part of a planned government transition.

Larayedh stated that "In honor to our engagement in accelerating the transitional process and in accordance with the national dialogue road-map, I will present my resignation to the presidency of the republic."

The prime minister's resignation is part of an agreement made in September 2013 to hand over power from the ruling Islamist Ennahda party after a new constitution was written and an electoral commission appointed. The constitution is in its final stages as the National Constituent Assembly reviews the last clauses and on Wednesday, the NCA voted on the nine members who will comprise Tunisia's board of elections, tasked with overseeing both the parliamentary and presidential elections.

Minster of Industry Mehdi Jomaa will assume the premiership under the caretaker government.

Tunisia, home of the Jasmine Revolution that sparked the regional Arab Spring in 2011, has struggled with political instability, insecurity, and a weakened economy. Opposition elements criticized the Ennahda government for failing to keep its promises to hold elections in Spring 2013, reign in their extremist followers, and address the struggling economy.

[The Tunis Times] [CNN]