The Tunisian parliament on Feb. 15 approved the appointment of Marouane El Abassi as governor of the country's central bank, replacing Chedli Ayari, who resigned earlier in the week, Reuters reported.

Of 157 members of parliament, 134 voted to approve El Abassi, a former official at the World Bank. Speaking to lawmakers before the vote on his nomination, El Abassi said inflation rates, the trade deficit and the current account deficit would be among his priorities, as well as fighting against the parallel market to support the Tunisian currency.

Ayari officially resigned Feb. 14 after Prime Minister Youssef Chahed asked him to step down. Ayari said he will not stay on in the country's parliament.