Tunisia PM says his technocrat option has failed

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    Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali, arrives, followed by a body guard, for a meeting with representatives of all Tunisian political parties, to see if there is sufficient support for his solution to end the country's ongoing political crisis in Carthage, outside Tunis, Monday, Feb. 18, 2013. Jebali's initiative, while supported by the opposition, puts him on a collision course with the moderate Islamist Ennahda Party, which dominates the government. (AP Photo/Hassene Dridi)

    TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — Tunisia's prime minister says his initiative to solve the country's political crisis with a new Cabinet of technocrats has failed.

    Hamadi Jebali told journalists Monday following meetings with representatives of the main political parties that the technocrat option did not benefit from a consensus and that they are moving toward another solution.

    He did not elaborate, only adding that he would meet with President Moncef Marzouki Tuesday to discuss the next steps.

    Tunisia was plunged into a political crisis after the assassination on Feb. 6 of a leftist opposition politician provoked anti-government riots around the country.

    Jebali called for a technocratic government to guide the country to new elections, but his own party, the moderate Islamist Ennahda, rejected his initiative, which had received opposition support.