Tunisia's justice ministry has opened an enquiry into an alleged corruption case involving Foreign Minister Rafik Abdesslem, Justice Minister Noureddine Bhiri told Shems FM on Thursday.

Last week, Olfa Riahi, a Tunisian blogger accused Abdesslem of spending a number of nights at Sheraton hotel at the expense of the Foreign Affairs Ministry and called for a probe into the affair.

Following her call, a group of 25 lawyers is suing Abdesslem on corruption charges, while transparency associations have also called on the government to investigate the fraud. But Abdesslem is also suing the blogger for defamation against him.

"The fight against corruption, the condemnation of those responsible and the implementation of the law, are the sole priority, regardless of the names and social positions of the people involved," Bhiri told Shems FM.

According to observers, the latest imbroglio involving the Ennahdha foreign minister which comes days before the forthcoming announcement of a government reshuffle, marks the end of his career as foreign minister. Endi

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