By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Tunis : Tunisia’s interim leader Fouad Mebazaa has announced that nationwide polls to elect a constitutional council will take place July 24.
BBC reported that the council will be charged with rewriting the country’s constitution, adopted in 1959.
The council will either appoint a new government or extend the interim government rule until presidential or legislative elections are held.
Mebazaa said that “contrary to what has been rumoured”, he and the interim government will stay in power “until the elections are held, with the help and support of all”.
Protests swept Tunisia in mid-December, forcing President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who had ruled the North African country for 23 years, to flee to Saudi Arabia.
Tunisians took to the streets again in February, forcing Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi to resign.