Tunisia suspends national dialogue indefinitely, but president remains optimistic as political deadlock grows

Tunisia's president Moncef Marzouki told reporters in Paris that his country "will get through this difficult phase. We are determined to promote a democratic process, whatever the present difficulties may be" (Courtesy of the Telegraph)

Tunisian president Moncef Marzouki expressed confidence Tuesday that the country could "overcome" the political turmoil that has enveloped the country since July, according to Agence France-Presse.

"Tunisia will get through this difficult phase," Marzouki said. "We are determined to promote a democratic process, whatever the present difficulties may be."

In the past week, Tunisia's political parties were given the task to appoint an interim Prime Minister to lead the country during its political transition as outlined in a national transition roadmap established earlier this year. However, no interim PM was appointed after multiple meetings with opposition and government leadership divided on who should assume the position.

The proposed roadmap has called for the Islamist Ennahda party leadership to resign from office within three weeks from the commencement of the country's national dialogue that began in late October. Protests preceding the national dialogue have called for Ennahda's immediate resignation, and the national dialogue has now been suspended indefinitely. 

It is not yet clear from reports what steps are next for Tunisia's political transition with opposition and Ennahda leadership still enveloped in political deadlock.