New cabinet takes office in Tunisia

The new Tunisian government headed by Prime Minister Youssef Chahed took office on Monday during a ceremony held in the city of Carthage. Former Prime Minister Habib Essid handed over to the new officials during the ceremony.

“I hope that this government will last,” he said. “The worst thing for this country is the government changing every year or year and a half.” Essid has called on Tunisia’s political parties to support the new government.

Chahed’s cabinet includes 26 ministers and 14 ministers of state. It includes women, young and independent ministers, three members of the Islamist Ennahda party and two former members of the powerful UGTT union.

The new government was sworn in before President Beji Caid Essebsi on Saturday, after approval from parliament. Prime Minister Chahed is a member of the president’s Nidaa Tounes Party.