The new government is expected to be made up of technocrats, and its members will not be allowed to be candidates in future elections.

Interim premier Beji Caid Sebsi said on Friday he would appoint a new cabinet "in two days", but the source said on Monday consultations between political parties were still under way.

"The government is likely to be named either late today or tomorrow," the source told Reuters.

Ali Larayedh, a member of the moderate Islamist Ennahda movement which has just been allowed back on the political stage after a two-decade ban under Ben Ali, said his movement would not be part of the administration.

"We have not been asked to take part in the government because the prime minister said this is going to be a technocrat cabinet, not a national unity government representing political parties," he said.

He said the foreign, interior, justice and defence ministers from the current caretaker government -- independent figures who are not career politicians -- were likely to keep their jobs.

"We do not have a problem with that. We will deal with the new government with a positive attitude, based on its achievements," he said.

Tunisia has been struggling to restore stability since Ben Ali was toppled on Jan. 14 by mass street protests and fled to Saudi Arabia after 23 years in power.
Caid Sebsi, 84, was appointed after the previous interim prime minister, Mohamed Ghannouchi, resigned on Feb. 27 following violent protests over his close ties to Ben Ali.

Five ministers have stood down since then.