Tunisia PM won't quit to allow unity government, wants parliament to decide

Tunisia's prime minister has refused to resign and wants parliament to decide his fate, creating a political deadlock over President Beji Caid Essebsi's plan to form a new unity government. Habib Essid stood his ground a few weeks after Essebsi called for negotiations on a unity government he believes would overcome coalition tensions that have blocked headway toward much-needed economic reforms. "Prime Minister Habib Essid has chosen to go to parliament," Essebsi said in a speech on Wednesday after the premier insisted on leaving a decision on his future to lawmakers.

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