Tunisian President Kais Saied has told French President Emmanuel Macron a national dialogue will take place soon.
"Mr Saied indicated that the government would be formed in the coming days and that a national dialogue would be launched in its wake," the French president's office said, after the two leaders spoke on the phone.
Mention of dialogue would be the first indication since he seized powers in July that Mr Saied is ready to consult more widely on finding a way out of the crisis, Reuters reported.
He appointed Najla Bouden Romdhane as prime minister on Wednesday and asked her to form a Cabinet quickly, but she is expected to have fewer powers than previous heads of government.
Mr Saied has suspended much of the constitution and said he would rule by decree. The decree also cast the role of head of government as an assistant to the president, rather than a check on him. All executive power still resides with Mr Saied.
A statement by Mr Saied's office after the phone call with Mr Macron did not mention any plans for a dialogue.
The labour union UGTT and major parties in the suspended parliament have all urged Mr Saied to include them in any talks about Tunisia's constitution and political system.
Although Mr Saied's intervention appeared popular after years of economic stagnation and political paralysis, opposition to it has grown in the two months since with no clear road map to end the problems.
Tunisia faces difficulties in public finances and talks with the IMF for a rescue package stopped when Mr Saied dismissed the previous government.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma
When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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Norway |
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Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
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Sheffield United 2 Bournemouth 1
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Bournemouth: C Wilson (13')
Man of the Match: Jack O’Connell (Sheffield United)
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Founder: Badr Ward
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Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
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Manchester United 1
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EXPATS
Company Fact Box
Company name/date started: Abwaab Technologies / September 2019
Founders: Hamdi Tabbaa, co-founder and CEO. Hussein Alsarabi, co-founder and CTO
Based: Amman, Jordan
Sector: Education Technology
Size (employees/revenue): Total team size: 65. Full-time employees: 25. Revenue undisclosed
Stage: early-stage startup
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