Ali Larayedh became Tunisia's new Islamist premier on Thursday, taking over from his predecessor Hamadi Jebali and faced with the task of ending a political and economic crisis gripping the country. Speaking at the swearing in ceremony at the prime minister's office, Larayedh said his cabinet would listen to "the concerns of the nation and the people."

Premier-designate Ali Larayedh unveiled Tunisia's new coalition government on Friday after reaching a last-minute deal aimed at ending a major political crisis, with independents given key portfolios in a clear concession by Islamists. Larayedh, a member of the powerful Islamist Ennahda party, said he submitted his line-up to President Moncef Marzouki and was confident parliament will give the cabinet its vote of confidence.

Ali Larayedh, the Islamist politician set to become Tunisia's next prime minister after announcing a new government lineup on Friday, is seen as a moderate and a man of dialogue but failed to forge a broad coalition. Larayedh vowed to head a government "for all Tunisians" when he was tasked with forming a cabinet last month and resolving a political crisis triggered by the February 6 assassination of leftist opposition leader Chokri Belaid.

Premier-designate Ali Larayedh unveiled a proposed new coalition government on Friday after a deal was reached in last-minute talks aimed at ending a major political crisis. "I presented to the president the dossier containing the list of the new government and a summary of the government programme," Larayedh announced on television, just hours before a midnight deadline. The new team is made up of people from the parties of the outgoing coalition and independents. kl-alf/al/hkb