Tunisia's new prime minister, the moderate Islamist Hamadi Jebali, on Monday took up his duties with guarantees to the people of transparency and good governance.

"I promise to our people that this government will be at its service and shall give an example with clean hands, transparency and good governance," Jebali said when he took over from Beji Caid Essebsi.

On Friday, the government led by Jebali, the deputy head of the Ennahda party, won support from the majority of members of the constituent assembly, with 154 votes in favour, 38 against and 11 abstentions.

"This transition of powers reflects the finest image of our country and of our revolution," Jebali said, referring to the uprising that led to the fall of dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali last 14 January.

Jebali thanked Essebsi and his interim gouvernement notably for having organised the north African country's first free and democratic elections on 23 October.

The government faces several immediate challenges including unemployment, narrowing the gulf between relatively wealthy coastal zones and very poor inland areas, and reversing a decline in investment.

"The difficulties are manifold but we are going to succeed. This isn't a message of hope based on nothing. Our people who were capable of a fine revolution are also capable of taking up the fight for development," Jebali said.

The new government then went straight into its first working session.