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The president and prime minister in Tunisia's day-old interim government have left the ruling RCD party, state TV says, in an apparent bid to calm protests that have raged for days.

Prime Minister Mohammed Ghannouchi has said all members of the national unity government have "clean hands".

But protesters say no members of the old regime should retain power, and have demanded the RCD be disbanded.

Four ministers earlier stepped down over the issue.

Three of the ministers, who were opponents of the former government, were angered over the inclusion of members of the disgraced old regime in the new government.