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TUNIS, Tunisia (AP) — The winner of Tunisia's presidential election says he will resign from the leadership of his political party to focus on his new job.
Beji Caid Essebsi, who won 55 percent of the vote in a runoff election Sunday, distanced himself from the party he created and led to victory so that he can be "the president of all Tunisians."
A well-organized Islamist party won elections in 2011 following Tunisia's revolution, prompting Essebsi to form his party Nida Tunis (Tunisia Calls) to oppose the winners.
In October, voters gave Nida Tunis the most votes in legislative elections, and the party must now form a ruling coalition and nominate a prime minister.
Essebsi said Wednesday he will work with Nida Tunis to form a new government backed by a large consensus.
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