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Tunisian MPs OK new gov't

TUNISIA, Feb 27 (KUNA) -- The Tunisian parliament has finally given confidence to Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh's new coalition government.
Some 129 members of parliament voted for the new makeup, while 77 others rejected it, with only one abstention.
Addressing the parliament, the prime minister said he wants to see genuine backing for the government in order to make a drastic change in the current situation in the country.
He added that his new cabinet comprises a number of party and independent members who would seek to carry out economic and social reforms.
Parliament Speaker Rachid Ghannouchi spoke highly of the confidence vote that has put an end to political tensions in the country.
Fakhfakh has become the eighth Prime Minister in Tunisia since the 2011 revolution ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
The new cabinet consists of 30 ministerial portfolios, 15 of which went to political parties while independents won the rest. (end) ksj.mt