Tunisia’s governing Islamists edged closer to negotiations with secular opponents yesterday by agreeing in principle to a plan for a transition towards new elections proposed by the powerful trade unions.

The birthplace of the Arab Spring revolts, Tunisia is struggling to defend its nascent democracy against political polarisation and popular discontent, especially after Egypt’s army ousted another elected Islamist leader, Mohamed Morsi.

Rached Ghannouchi, chairman of the Islamist Ennahda party, said negotiations would quickly resolve the standoff that has paralysed Tunisian politics for almost a month and led to major protests and calls for the government to resign. (Reuters)

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