Protesters and legislators step up opposition pressure on Tunisia's government

TUNIS, Tunisia – Tunisia's Islamist-led government is under increasing pressure to resign after thousands of people demonstrated against it and dozens of legislators have stopped doing their jobs.

Last week's assassination of opposition politician Mohammed Brahmi plunged the country into a crisis, with the opposition demanding the government and legislature step down. The government blamed the killing on an Islamist extremist cell linked to al-Qaida.

On Monday, Education Minister Salem Labiadh submitted his resignation, said Radio Mosaique FM.

The 217-member assembly must have at least two-thirds of its legislators present to function, and that requirement could be hard to meet now that nearly 70 legislators have stopped working.

Late Sunday, about 25,000 pro- and anti-government demonstrators protested in front of the assembly in Tunis, and they were dispersed with tear gas.