![In a photo taken from the television station of President Kais Saied, Presidnet Saied (2R) announces, the dissolution of parliament and Prime Minister Mechichi's government as he sits with his military staff on 25 July 2021 at Carthage Palace after a day of nationwide protest. [FETHI BELAID/AFP via Getty Images]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/GettyImages-1234192774.jpg?fit=1200%2C778&ssl=1)
Tunisian President Kais Saied yesterday chaired a meeting with military and security officials, days after he dismissed the prime minister and froze parliament for 30 days.
The presidency said in a brief statement that “the President of the Republic, Kais Saied, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, chairs on Wednesday, at the Carthage Palace, a meeting with members of the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces and high security officials.”
Following an emergency meeting with military and security officials on Sunday night, Saied announced the dismissal of the Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, on condition that he himself assumes executive power with the help of a government headed by a PM of his choice.
The president also decided to freeze the powers of parliament for a period of 30 days and lift the immunity of members of parliament (MPs), he also announced that he will preside over the Public Prosecution Office.
Saied’s measures coincided with the eruption of popular protests in several governorates in the country, during which demonstrators demanded the departure of the entire ruling system, while accusing the opposition of failing to play its role amid the ongoing political, economic and health crises.
The President said he took the measures to “save the Tunisian state”, but the majority of political parties rejected this, with some considering it a “coup against the constitution”.
Reuters reported yesterday that the Tunisian judiciary is investigating three parties who are suspected to have received foreign funds during the 2019 election campaign. The investigation was instigated over a week before Saied announced his decision, it said.
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