Tunisia's political parties sign roadmap for new government, elections

Tunisia's feuding political parties have signed a roadmap to break their months-old impasse and put an end to the country's drawn out democratic transition.

The parties of the Islamist-led ruling coalition as well as the largely secular opposition signed an agreement Saturday to begin a dialogue that would replace the current government in three or four weeks with a technocratic body to supervise new elections.

The agreement represents a setback for the moderate Islamist Ennahda Party, which has run the country for nearly two years.

However, the deal also calls for the elected assembly dominated by Ennahda to finish writing a new constitution and pave the way for elections.

Ennahda agreed to step down after the assassination of a leftist politician provoked demonstrations and an opposition walkout from the assembly.