Tunisian Congress leader Abbou resigns

Secretary-General of the Congress for the Republic (CPR) party Mohamed Abbou, is reported to have resigned due to internal divisions within the bloc, sources told Arabstoday on Sunday. Rumours have been circulating suggesting Abbou, currently the leader of the centre-left CPR, will form a new party within Tunisia's National Constituent Assembly aimed at representing  the country's "revolutionary youth." Party officials were unable to confirm or deny the reports. The CPR is planning to hold an emergency meeting to discuss the implications of Abbou's resignation. CPR parliamentarian Lazhar Chemli who also resigned on Sunday, denied any knowledge of an impending Abbou departure. Dismissals and resignations within the CPR have become commonplace and a political headache for Tunisian President and party leader Moncef Marzouki, after the bloc finished second in general elections held in October 2011. Party founder Abdel Raouf Ayadi previously left the party to form the rival Wafa movement - a breakaway party which holds 12 seats in the 217-seat Constituent Assembly.