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Tunisian Prime Minister Elyes Fakhfakh on Wednesday resigned from his position following intense pressure due to an alleged conflict of interest scandal.

Earlier on Wednesday, Tunisian President Kais Saied asked Fakhfakh to resign in the wake of the scandal and the withdrawal of confidence from the government by the Ennahda party and other blocs.

Fakhfakh, a former Finance minister, tendered his resignation an hour after meeting the president.

Ennahda, the largest party in Tunisia’s parliament, claimed that Fakhfakh had lost his credibility due to the scandal. According to documents tabled by an independent legislator, Fakhfakh owns shares in companies that won deals worth $15 million (44 million dinars) from the government.

Fakhfakh, who vowed to resign if investigating authorities discovered any wrongdoing, has denied committing any improprieties.

Fakhfakh, Tunisia’s eighth premier since the 2011 Arab Spring, was named prime minister by Saied only in January.

More to follow…

Additional reporting by CGTN’s Adnen Chaouachi