Tunisia's caretaker premier sacks anti-graft chief

TUNIS, Tunisia

Tunisia’s Cabinet on Monday dismissed the head of the country’s anti-corruption body.

A Cabinet meeting headed by caretaker Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh, decided to relieve Chawki Tabib of his duties as head of the National Anti-Corruption Commission and named judge Imad Boukhreis to replace him.

The Cabinet mentioned no reason for the removal of Tabib, who took the post in January 2016.

On July 13, the anti-corruption commission announced it was sending to both the judiciary and Parliament Speaker Rached Ghannouchi documents on suspicions the premier had conflicts of interest.

The prime minister resigned after more than 100 lawmakers pushed him to face a confidence vote amid suspicions of corruption and conflicts of interest.

On July 15, President Kais Saied approved Fakhfakh's resignation and later assigned him as caretaker prime minister until former Interior Minister Hichem Mechichi forms a new government.

The corruption commission was created in 2011.

*Writing by Mahmoud Barakat