Ghannouchi and Essebsi saved Tunisia from chaos, says prominent Arab scholar

Arab scholar Khair El-Din Haseeb stressed the importance of the role played by Tunisian President Beji Caid Essebsi and the head of Ennahda movement Rachid Ghannouchi in contributing to the success of the “democratic transition” process in Tunisia and saving the country from chaos.

During a seminar held in the Tunisian capital on Tuesday, the former head of the Arab National Congress said that Tunisia has succeeded in its “democratic transition” phase “thanks to the efforts and the great role that Essebsi and Ghannouchi played”.

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“Tunisia can play a big role in activating the Maghreb union and in resolving pending problems between Algeria and Morocco, and it is the glimmer of light for Arab revolutions because of the strides it has made in democratic transition,” he added.

Haseeb also spoke about the possibility of building a new bloc in the Arab region based on democracy where “ideological sensitivities” would be overcome.

Members of such a new alliance, he added, would unite on how the Arab region can get rid of dictatorships.

“The crisis is going through a historic phase and it needs a historic bloc,” the Iraqi thinker said.

Haseeb also noted that “dialogue must continue with Islamists who believe in democracy”.

Haseeb, who holds the position of general director of the Centre for Arab Unity Studies in Beirut, founded the Arab National Congress in 1990.

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