Tunisian state television reports that ministers from Tunisia's interim government have resigned from the ruling party of ousted former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
The move comes days after four opposition ministers quit the interim cabinet in protest of the ruling party's continued influence in politics. On Monday, Prime Minster Mohamed Ghannouci announced a coalition government that retained the ministers of defense, interior, foreign affairs and finance from the previous Cabinet.
Mr. Ghannouci and interim President Fouad Mebazaa have both quit the RCD party in an attempt to distance themselves from the country's former leader.
The new government was expected to hold its first Cabinet meeting Thursday.
Meanwhile, Tunisian troops fired warning shots at hundreds of anti-government protesters demonstrating in the capital, Tunis.
The protesters were marching towards the headquarters of the RCD. The demonstrators have criticized the country's new interim government for being made up ministers closely associated with the ousted president.
In their efforts to complete a "break with the past," Tunisia's interim leadership has freed the country's remaining political prisoners and moved to track down assets stashed overseas by the deposed president and his family.
State television reported that 33 of Mr. Ben Ali's extended family had been arrested while trying to flee the country. Images of seized gold and jewelry were shown.
