The move came as Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa announced the formation of a new consensus cabinet.

Tunisia's Constituent Parliament on Sunday, January 26, 2014, adopted a new constitution - the first since the ousting of President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali three years ago, the BBC reported. Some 200 of the 216-member National Constituent Assembly voted for the text.

In further signs of stability after months of deadlock between Islamist and secular politicians, Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa, announced the formation of a new caretaker government. The cabinet, consisting mainly of senior civil servants, judges and people from the private sector, is expected to run the country until new elections whose date has not yet been set.

Radio France Internationale, RFI, said the Interior Ministry returned to Lotfi Ben Jeddou who was appointed in March 2013 by the former Islamist government. Hakim Ben Hammouda, an economist with experience at the African Development Bank, becomes Finance Minister, while Mongi Hamdi, a former UN official, is Foreign Minister. Prime Minister Mehdi Jomaa was appointed in December 2013 after the ruling Islamist Ennahda party agreed to step down in a deal with secular opponents to end a political crisis.

Reports say the vote was followed by several hours of celebration by both Ennahda Islamist party Members of Parliament and those of the opposition. According to Al Jazeera TV, the new constitution, seen as one of the most progressive in the region, guarantees equal rights for men and women.

Executive power is shared between the Prime Minister - who will have the dominant role - and the President, who retains important prerogatives, notably in defence and foreign affairs. Islam is not mentioned as a source of legislation, although it is recognised as the nation's religion, while freedom of conscience is guaranteed.