Premier dismisses justice minister, reasons unclear

Pulse Staff 06:31 - 21 October 2015

Tunisia's Prime Minister Habib Essid addresses the European Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee in Brussels, Belgium, May 28, 2015. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir

The fired minister, Mohamed Saleh Ben Aissa told local newspapers he believed he had been fired because he refused go to parliament for the approval of a new justice law.

Tunisian Prime Minister Habib Essid sacked the justice minister on Thursday after he reportedly criticized the United States ambassador for meddling in the country's internal affairs.

The statement from the premier's office did not give a reason for the minister's dismissal but said Defence Minister Farhat Horchani would assume the duties of the minister for now.

The fired minister, Mohamed Saleh Ben Aissa told local newspapers he believed he had been fired because he refused go to parliament for the approval of a new justice law.