Beji Caid Sebsi has been appointed Tunisia's prime minister in succession to Mohamed Ghannouchi who resigned today.
Mr Sebsi had served previously as foreign minister under independence President Habib Bourguiba.
Tunisia Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi had announced his resignation on state television, following a wave of street protests.
Ghannouchi told a news conference that he thought carefully before taking the decision which was supported by his family.
'I have decided to quit as prime minister.'
Critics had accused Ghannouchi of being to close to the North African state's former government, toppled in an uprising last month and of failing to enact reforms.
Yesterday, three people were killed in clashes between Tunisian security forces and youths rioting in central Tunis.
