Tunisia fails to reach consensus on caretaker cabinet It was a setback for Tunisia after its assembly finished the country's new constitution last week, progress widely praised as a model in contrast to upheaval in Libya, Egypt and Yemen who also ousted leaders in 2011 uprisings. Party sources said Tunisian opposition leaders wanted to a new interior minister, but Jomaa pressed to keep the current minister to ensure continuity in key security matters as the country faces Islamist militants.</p After months of deadlock last year, North African country's Islamist party Ennahda agreed to step down in a compromise deal to make way for a non-political, technocrat government to ease tensions and prepare for elections later this year. One of the most secular countries in the Arab World, Tunisia has struggled with deepening divisions over the role of Islam and the rise of ultra-conservative Salafists, who secularists worried would infringe on liberal education and rights. No date has been set for elections, but the new government will have to tackle demands from international lenders to cut public spending and curb the country's budget deficit without triggering protests over economic hardships. Islamist militants, tied to al Qaeda operations in North Africa, are also a growing threat for a country that relies heavily on European tourism and overseas remittances for its hard currency income.