"After the transition, I will retire from political life," Ghannouchi said in an interview with Tunisian television and promised to stage "transparent and democratic elections -- the first since independence" from France in 1956.

"All undemocratic laws will be scrapped" during the transition to democracy, he added, mentioning electoral, anti-terrorism and media laws.

The prime minister, who occupied the same post in the previous government before the downfall of Ben Ali exactly a week ago, was speaking as protesters Friday called for all old regime figures to be removed from government.

"Like all Tunisians, I was afraid" under Ben Ali, he said in the interview, his ever first direct address to the nation.

Ghannouchi, who earlier said in an interview with a French radio station that he had the impression that the North African country was run by Ben Ali's unpopular wife Leila, stressed on Friday that "there is no going back.

"We have done a 180-degree turn," a visibly moved Ghannouchi said, adding: "We have enough capable and competent men" to run the country.

Ben Ali resigned and fled in disgrace to Saudi Arabia after 23 years in power, felled by a populist uprising against unemployment, corruption and poverty that quickly spiralled out of control despite a bloody crackdown.

Ghannouchi has promised parliamentary and presidential elections within six months, but no dates have been set and the country's constitution says the vote should be held in less than two months.

However protestors have called for the premier -- an old regime figure -- to quit.

"You stole the wealth of the country but you're not going to steal the revolution! Government resign! We will stay loyal to the blood of the martyrs!" protesters chanted, marching down central Tunis.

Some waved Tunisian flags, others the flag of the main UGTT trade union, which played a key role in the protests that forced Ben Ali from power.

Abid Briki, deputy head of the powerful UGTT, told AFP: "The executive committee of the UGTT met today and called for the dissolution of the government and the formation of a new government for national salvation."

The union has refused to recognise the new government announced on Monday, in which key figures from the Ben Ali regime hold powerful posts, withdrawing its three appointees.

Officials said Thursday that 33 members of Ben Ali's family had been arrested.