The secular party of Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki has withdrawn its ministers from the Islamist-led government, saying its demands for cabinet changes had not been met.

The decision by Mr Marzouki's Congress for the Republic Party deals a further blow to Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali's government, already reeling from last week's assassination of secular opposition leader Chokri Belaid.

"We have been saying for a week that if the foreign and justice ministers were not changed, we would withdraw from the government," party official Samir Ben Amor said. "This decision has nothing to do with the decision to form a government of technocrats," he added.