Tunisian President appoints new army leaders

Tunisian President Al-Moncef Al-Marzouqi has reshuffled the army leadership for the first time since the escape of the former President Zainul-Abideen Bin-Ali.

A statement issued by the President’s office showed that any reorganization of the army leaders is in keeping “with the Constitution, according to which, the president is the supreme leader of the armed forces.”

Al-Marzouqi appointed General Al-Nouri Bin-Tawoos as General Director of the Military Security Services and General Bashir Al-Badawi as Chief of Staff of the Air Forces.

While the presidency did not give more details about the reshuffle, military sources said that the previous officials were given honorary positions.

Observers and activists expressed different responses to this development. Some expected that this was a precautionary action in case of a military coup similar to what happened in Egypt.