THERE IS ‘NO TURNING BACK,’ TUNISIAN PRESIDENT REJECTS CALLS FOR TALKS

Fri 06 August 2021:

Tunisia’s President, Kais Saied, stated on Thursday that there was “no turning back” from his decision to shut down parliament and assume executive power, which his critics have branded a coup.

In a video released by his office, Saied also dismissed demands for negotiations over the issue, stating that “there is no dialog except with the honest” and that “cancer cells” could not be talked to.

The biggest party in parliament, the Islamist Ennahda, which has been the most vocal opponent of Saied’s moves, had called for dialog in a statement earlier on Thursday.

Some 11 days after his intervention, Saied has not named a new prime minister, announced any steps to end the emergency or declared his longer-term intentions.

The powerful labor union, as well as the United States and France, have urged him to appoint a new administration as soon as possible. The union is working on a plan to end the crisis, which it plans to deliver to Saied.

US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Bob Menendez and ranking member Jim Risch said on Thursday they were deeply concerned by the situation.

“President Saied must recommit to the democratic principles that underpin US-Tunisia relations, and the military must observe its role in a constitutional democracy,” they said in a joint statement.

Hichem Mechichi, the ousted Prime Minister, made his first public appearance since his dismissal on Thursday. He was seen on Thursday at the anti-corruption watchdog’s headquarters, according to photos released by the organization.

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