Egypt backs Tunisia's exceptional measures, says FM

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi supports the exceptional measures recently taken by his Tunisian counterpart, Kais Saied, the country’s Foregn Minister, Sameh Shoukry, announced yesterday.

“Egypt is confident in the wisdom of the president of the [Tunisian] state and his ability to lead this constitutional path steadfastly,” Shoukry said in a meeting with Saied at the Carthage Presidential Palace. “Egypt wishes Tunisia and its people every success and a better future,” he added.

Conveying Al-Sisi’s message to Saied, Shoukry stressed his country’s support for the “historic measures taken by the Tunisian president to fulfil the will of his people and guarantee the stability of his country and its best interests.”

For his part, Saied stressed his country’s keenness to “permanently” boost its ties and coordination with Egypt. “Egypt’s stability and security are closely tied to those of Tunisia,” he said.

On 25 July, Tunisian President Kais Saied cited 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.

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.

The majority of the country’s political parties slammed the move as a “coup against the constitution” and the achievements of the 2011 revolution.

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