Tunisia's interim prime minister raised Monday the possibility of a delay in elections scheduled for July to draw up a new constitution after the fall of president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

Logistical hitches may force a delay in the legislative election due on July 24, Prime Minister Beji Caid Essebsi said in a televised address to the nation that came after days of protests against the interim government.

"The government made a commitment by choosing the date of July 24 and we intend to keep to that date but if the reform committee says there are technical and logistical hitches, there will be another probability to discuss," he said.

"It is true we have been slow in dealing with this but the high commission charged with preparing these crucial elections in July is independent and the government is only giving it material and logistical support."

He said the work of the provisional government would cease on the day of the vote.

Tunisian political parties are divided over the date for the elections.

Tunisia has been rocked by days of protests against the interim authority that is in charge following the January toppling of Ben Ali after weeks of protests that inspired similar uprisings in the Arab world.