Magharebia

Tunisia's National Constituent Assembly (ANC) on Tuesday (July 24th) named Chedly Ayari as the new central bank governor, AFP reported. Ayari replaces Mustafa Kamel Nabli, who was fired due to a clash between the governor and government members over monetary policy.

The nomination of Ayari, 79, has been strongly criticised by the opposition and by some within the ruling coalition because of his age and his links with the regime of ousted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Ayari served as minister of planning under Habib Bourguiba and worked for the African Development Bank and other financial institutions before Ben Ali recruited him as an adviser.

Speaking after his appointment, the economist vowed to preserve the independence of the bank and the stability of the Tunisian dinar, as well as working to alleviate social problems.

"If our objectives are to reduce unemployment, to reduce poverty... the central bank must work in the same way" as the government, he said.