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Saudi Arabia urges international community to support Tunisia

July 28, 2021 at 5:42 pm

Tunisian President Kais Saied speaks during a ceremony in Tunis, Tunisia on March 22, 2021 [Yassine Gaidi/Anadolu Agency]

Saudi Arabia yesterday declared that it has faith in the Tunisian leadership to overcome the current circumstances, while urging the international community to stand by Tunisia.

In its second statement on the topic in as many days, the Foreign Ministry said: “The government is following up the course of the current state of affairs in Tunisia.”

“The government reiterates its confidence in the Tunisian leadership to overcome these circumstances and achieve a decent life and prosperity for the brotherly Tunisian people,” it added.

The Saudi government called on the international community to stand by Tunisia in this delicate period to face the challenging health and economic challenges.

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On Monday, Saudi Foreign Minister Faisal Bin Farhan said in a statement that his country is “keen to preserve Tunisia’s stability and security, and supports all aspects that would help Tunisia achieve this.

On Sunday evening, Tunisian President Kais Saied used Article 80 of the constitution to dismiss Prime Minister Hicham Mechichi, freeze the work of parliament for 30 days, lift the immunity of ministers, and appoint himself as head of the executive authority until the formation of a new government.

Parliament Speaker and leader of Ennahda movement, Rached Ghannouchi, condemned the move as a ‘coup’.

This comes after violent protests broke out in several Tunisian cities criticising the government’s handling of the economy and the coronavirus. Demonstrators had called for parliament to be dissolved.

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