New Gov’t Pardons Political Prisoners

A sign of better times ahead? The new government in Tunisia has agreed to recognize all political groups banned under ousted President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali and grant amnesty to political prisoners. The announcement followed the first meeting of the new cabinet, formed by interim leaders in the wake of protests that ended the 23-year reign of Ben Ali. The Constitutional Democratic Rally, known by its French acronym RCD, has tried to sever ties with the former dictator, and all cabinet members who belonged to the party have quit it. Protesters gathered outside the RCD’s party’s headquarters in Tunis to cheer the downfall of the party—which has also seen the resignations of interim President Fouad Mebazaa and interim Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi.