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Tunisian PM reshuffles cabinet to tackle terrorism, economy

Xinhua, January 7, 2016 Adjust font size:

Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid on Wednesday announced a cabinet reshuffle as his country is battling terrorism.

Among the 12 newly named ministers are Hedi Majdoub, the new interior minister, and Khemais Jinhaoui, the minister of foreign affairs. Jinhaoui served as diplomatic adviser of President Beji Caid Essebsi before his new position.

The anticipated new cabinet replaces the previous one which was formed in February 2015 following the legislative and presidential elections of 2014.

The former cabinet included 24 ministers, including two female, two vice-ministers, and 14 deputy-ministers.

Essid has previously said that the new cabinet is to be more concise. He described it as a "war cabinet" given the current security challenges facing Tunisia.

Tunisia has been plagued by Islamist violence after the ouster of former President Ben Ali in 2011. In March 2015, jihadist gunmen attacked the Bardo museum in the capital Tunis in March, and in June another assault was staged at a beach hotel in Sousse resort. Both have targeted foreign tourists, forcing the government to struggle in fighting terrorism and reviving the economy. Endit