Al-Sisi is a coup dictator and unwelcome in Tunisia, says Ghannouchi

The leader of the Islamist Ennahda Party in Tunisia has denied categorically that he may meet with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi or even welcome him to his country. Rachid Ghannouchi described Al-Sisi as a “dictator who staged a coup” and said that he is “not welcome” to visit Tunisia.

“I will not welcome him,” Ghannouchi told France 24 on Thursday. “I only greet or see off those I consent to, and I am not a member of the authority who must welcome him out of deference to protocol.” He added that, in his opinion, Al-Sisi is a dictator and he seized power by means of a coup. The veteran Islamist denied being asked to intervene to resolve the current situation in Egypt, stressing that the task of resolving the issue falls on the shoulders of the Egyptian people.

When asked about the conflict in Syria, Ghannouchi replied that those fighting for freedom are not terrorists. “Those who fight for the survival of a dictatorship are terrorists,” he insisted. “I cannot describe those fighting Al-Assad as terrorists because he pushed his opponents to fight him.”

Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi visited Egypt during the 6th of October celebrations and the coup leader, Al-Sisi, is expected to visit Tunisia in the near future. Although a formal invitation has been extended, Essebsi pointed out that Al-Sisi may visit Tunisia “without an invitation”.