Tunisia sets Jan. 14 deadline for new constitution

A supporter of Tunisian Islamist party Hizb-Ut-Tahrir raises his fist during a gathering in Sidi Bouzid, central Tunisia, on Dec. 17, 2013.

Tunisia’s rival political parties have set themselves a Jan. 14 deadline to adopt a new constitution, the first since the country overthrew a dictator and unleashed revolts around the Arab world.

The constitution is meant to end months of political crisis in Tunisia prompted by the killing of two opposition leaders. A group of 21 parties, including the governing Islamists and opposition movements, has been trying to finalize the charter and set a calendar for presidential and parliamentary elections.

The group’s spokesman Mohamed Mahfoudh said late Monday that they have set a deadline of Jan. 14 to do so. That date will mark three years since a popular uprising forced out Tunisia’s long-time president.

Tunisia’s transition to democracy is being watched in other Arab countries.