Tunisian court dissolves ousted president Ben Ali's party

Tunisian court dissolves ousted president Ben Ali's party

2011-03-10 03:24:54 GMT+7 (ICT)

TUNIS, TUNISIA (BNO NEWS) -- A Tunisian court on Wednesday dissolved ousted president Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali's party, the Democratic Constitutional Rally Party (RCD).

According to the state-run TAP news agency, the court of first instance of Tunis officially disbanded FCD party an ordered that its funds and properties to be liquidated through the state property department.

The dissolution was requested by the Tunisian Interior Ministry. Faouzi Ben Mrad, the attorney that represented the ministry, said that the ruling fulfilled one of the major objectives of the January revolution.

The RDC party can appeal the court's decision but no members or representatives of the former ruling party showed up. A crowd gathered outside the court to celebrate the dissolution of Ben Ali's party.

In January, former President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali was ousted after weeks of violent protests over economic issues. The interim leadership announced the formation of new government of national unity that included members of the opposition.

Last Monday, the caretaker government dismantled the State Security Division, the secret police agency accused of committing human rights abuses under the direction of Ben Ali.

The measure was decided following the government's commitment to enforce the law and respect freedoms and civil rights and to honor the values of the revolution. The State Security Division was removed entirely at the level of structure, mission or practices.

In addition, Interim President Foued Mebazaa approved the new members of the government as proposed by recently-appointed Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi. Mebazaa confirmed the appointment of 22 Ministers and 9 Secretaries of State.

The new cabinet was needed after the recent resignation of several members of the caretaker government. Three ministers and former Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi resigned last February over differences with the caretaker government.

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