Tunisia's Interior Ministry has announced it is dissolving the country's State Security Department, whose much-hated so-called political police were accused of spying on and harassing citizens under the ousted president.
In a move sought by protesters, the ministry says on its Facebook page it is dismantling the department, "in accord with the values and the principles of the revolution".
The announcement on Monday came as Tunisia's new Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi named a new government after a spate of resignations that has revived questions about the country's post-revolution direction.
Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi kept the heads of the key defence, interior, justice and foreign affairs ministries.
He named new figures to six posts vacated last week amid new questions about Tunisia's direction.
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Weeks of protests drove out longtime iron-fisted President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in January, sparking revolts around the Arab world.
Essebsi himself was named just a week ago after his predecessor quit.
He said on his website that his new appointments have been approved by the interim president.
