1st LD Writethru: Tunisian prime minister loses parliamentary confidence vote

Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid on Saturday lost a confidence vote in parliament.

In a plenary session of the Assembly of People's Representatives (ARP), the national deputies decided by 118 cons, 3 pros and 27 abstentions.

Essid's government will continue its mission until the investiture of a new government.

"I have the calm conscience that I have well accomplished my duty to my country," Essid told the deputies in the parliament before the vote.

"I'm certain of not winning your confidence vote, but I'm presented here in front of you for my respect to the constitution," he said, warning that the mission for the next government would not be easy.

The Tunisian prime minister demanded on July 20 to hold a parliament session for a vote of confidence.

Earlier, President Beji Caid Essebsi proposed to form a national unity government, which is seen by observers as an invitation for Essid to resign.

During a television interview last week, Essid, who took office in February 2015, regretted the timing to form a new government was "inappropriate" and admitted he was not informed by the president before the announcement of the new government initiative. Endit