Tunisia's Moncef Marzouki's CPR 'stays in government'By BBC | Monday, February 11   2013 at  15:43

Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki's party has reversed its decision to withdraw from the Islamist-led government, an official has said.

The secular CPR party said it would stay in the coalition for another week to give talks a chance, he said.

The CPR had earlier threatened to quit the government if two Islamist ministers were not replaced.

Tunisia's political crisis has deepened since last week's killing of opposition politician Chokri Belaid.

Thousands of people took to the streets of the capital, Tunis, and other cities, to demand the government's resignation.

They blamed the main Islamist party, Ennahda, for Mr Belaid's death.

The party denied any responsibility.

Congress for the Republic (CPR) Secretary-General Mohamed Abbou told a news conference that the party had decided to remain in the government.

"The party has decided to freeze the resignations of its ministers for a week for more discussions on a coalition government," he said.

The CPR is one of two non-Islamist partners in the Ennahda-dominated coalition.