TUNIS, Tunisia, Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Tunisian Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi promised a new coalition government Monday to fill the power vacuum and restore order amid growing civilian deaths.
The urgent promise came amid renewed instability and violence despite Tunisian President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali's flight to Saudi Arabia Friday night after a month of mounting protests calling for an end to his 23 years of authoritarian rule.
The military kept relative calm in the streets of the capital, Tunis, early Monday, The New York Times reported. The army clashed with armed gangs and remnants of Ben Ali's personal guard Sunday, CNN reported.
State television said the military had arrested former Ben Ali security chief Ali Seriati on charges of plotting against the government and inciting acts of violence.
Scores of people have died in the violence, sparked by anger over poor living conditions, high unemployment, alleged widespread government corruption and iron-fisted repression.
Ghannouchi, a close ally of Ben Ali, declared Sunday evening there would be "zero tolerance" of anyone threatening the nation's security.
The new national unity government, which Ghannouchi vowed in a statement would include all major parties, "will open a new page in the history of Tunisia".
Ghannouchi -- asked Saturday by Tunisia's second interim president in 24 hours, Parliament Speaker Fouad Mebazaa, to form the new government -- also said the country would hold a presidential election within 60 days.
Opposition parties said they wanted reassurances the election would be properly monitored for corruption and claimed they needed more time, perhaps six or seven months, to campaign effectively, Britain's Independent newspaper reported.
They also insisted the ruling Constitutional Democratic Rally party, or RCD, have less power in the new government.
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Sunday she was encouraged Ghannouchi and Mebazaa indicated "a willingness to work with Tunisians across the political spectrum and within civil society to build a truly representative government".
Clinton also urged Tunisia's new leadership to restore order "in a responsible manner as quickly as possible" and adopt broad economic and political reforms, the U.S. State Department said in a statement.
These reforms include "addressing popular concerns about the lack of civil liberties and economic opportunities, and the need to move forward with credible democratic elections," the State Department said. UPI
