Tunisia's acting President Fouad Mebazaa poses for photographers during the investiture ceremony of his new transitional national unity government at the government Palace in Tunis. -AFP Photo

TUNIS: Tunisian national television says the country's interim president and prime minister have quit the political party of the longtime autocratic leader who was ousted last week.

Protesters have been complaining that the new interim unity government is too heavily represented by members of the party of deposed President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali, who fled to Saudi Arabia.

The move by President Fouad Mebazaa and Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi appears aimed at addressing that concern. Tunisian television also said Tuesday that Ben Ali was kicked out of the RCD political party.

Tunisia's interim leaders are seeking to stabilize the country after riots, looting and an apparent settling-of-scores after Ben Ali's flight.