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For Tunisia's new interim national unity government, it is going to be a tough job satisfying the political aspirations of the Tunisian public, whilst at the same time restoring the stability which has long been Tunisia's crucial economic asset.

There has been much criticism of the composition of the new government.

Opposition leaders have not been allocated any of the key ministries: the defence, interior and foreign portfolios all remain in the hands of figures from the ruling Democratic Constitutional Rally (RCD).

But whilst it may be tempting to read this as an indication of the insincerity of Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi when he talks of serious political reform, it may also be an unpleasant, but necessary means of preventing a slide into political chaos and economic crisis.

Mr Ghannouchi himself is respected by international financial institutions as a committed economic reformer whose good work was progressively undermined by the corruption and gate-keeping of President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali's family and cronies.