A supporter of the Ennahda ruling party holds up a copy of the
Holy Qur’an as others shout slogans during a demonstration in Tunis,
Saturday. Tens of thousands of supporters of the Islamist-led government
marched in the capital, one of the biggest in a series of
pro-government and opposition rallies sparked by the murder of a secular
politician. — Reuters
TUNIS — Uncertainty gripped Tunisia Sunday on the eve of the resumption of talks on the formation of a new government of technocrats, amid a standoff between the premier and his own ruling Islamist party Ennahda.
Tunisian media urged political groups to reach a consensus for tackling the crisis that has gripped the country since the Feb. 6 assassination of leftist opposition leader and vocal anti-Islamist Chokri Belaid.
Ennahda chief Rached Ghannouchi has strongly reiterated his party’s refusal to relinquish power in line with an initiative proposed by Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali, the party’s number two, to form a government of technocrats.
“Ennahda... will never give up power, as long as it benefits from the confidence of the people and the legitimacy of the ballot,” Ghannouchi told thousands of supporters who rallied Saturday in Tunis against Jebali’s plan.
Belaid’s murder came after months of failure by the ruling coalition to overhaul the government, and sparked bloody clashes between opposition supporters and police, as well as attacks on Ennahda offices.
Jebali has threatened to resign if he fails to secure the support he needs to form his new government.
After meeting the leaders of the main parties on Friday, Jebali said talks on the new administration had been rescheduled for Monday and that a previous Saturday deadline for its formation had been canceled, with no new date set.
Tunisian media Sunday expressed deep concern over the ongoing uncertainty. “There are huge fears that this initiative, which has the backing of most of the opposition and the public, will be buried tomorrow, plunging Tunisia into a new cycle of conflict and political wrangling,” said Le Temps daily. “We do not see how Jebali can reverse the tide and alter the position of his party and its allies,” the newspaper said.
La Presse said that “good intentions must be followed by concrete actions and a shared desire to make concessions,” referring to Jebali’s cautious optimism after he rescheduled talks with political leaders Monday.
The Arabic-language Essabah said political consensus was a national necessity. “The nature of the crisis and its possible impact necessitates a break with partisan policies in order to seek a consensus,” it said.
Since an uprising toppled the regime of former strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali two years ago, Tunisia has been rocked by violent attacks and social unrest over dire living conditions.
Ennahda won the October 2011 polls and controls the key foreign, interior and justice ministries in the coalition cabinet, as well as 89 seats in the 271-strong National Constituent Assembly. — AFP
TUNIS — Uncertainty gripped Tunisia Sunday on the eve of the resumption of talks on the formation of a new government of technocrats, amid a standoff between the premier and his own ruling Islamist party Ennahda.
Tunisian media urged political groups to reach a consensus for tackling the crisis that has gripped the country since the Feb. 6 assassination of leftist opposition leader and vocal anti-Islamist Chokri Belaid.
Ennahda chief Rached Ghannouchi has strongly reiterated his party’s refusal to relinquish power in line with an initiative proposed by Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali, the party’s number two, to form a government of technocrats.
“Ennahda... will never give up power, as long as it benefits from the confidence of the people and the legitimacy of the ballot,” Ghannouchi told thousands of supporters who rallied Saturday in Tunis against Jebali’s plan.
Belaid’s murder came after months of failure by the ruling coalition to overhaul the government, and sparked bloody clashes between opposition supporters and police, as well as attacks on Ennahda offices.
Jebali has threatened to resign if he fails to secure the support he needs to form his new government.
After meeting the leaders of the main parties on Friday, Jebali said talks on the new administration had been rescheduled for Monday and that a previous Saturday deadline for its formation had been canceled, with no new date set.
Tunisian media Sunday expressed deep concern over the ongoing uncertainty. “There are huge fears that this initiative, which has the backing of most of the opposition and the public, will be buried tomorrow, plunging Tunisia into a new cycle of conflict and political wrangling,” said Le Temps daily. “We do not see how Jebali can reverse the tide and alter the position of his party and its allies,” the newspaper said.
La Presse said that “good intentions must be followed by concrete actions and a shared desire to make concessions,” referring to Jebali’s cautious optimism after he rescheduled talks with political leaders Monday.
The Arabic-language Essabah said political consensus was a national necessity. “The nature of the crisis and its possible impact necessitates a break with partisan policies in order to seek a consensus,” it said.
Since an uprising toppled the regime of former strongman Zine El Abidine Ben Ali two years ago, Tunisia has been rocked by violent attacks and social unrest over dire living conditions.
Ennahda won the October 2011 polls and controls the key foreign, interior and justice ministries in the coalition cabinet, as well as 89 seats in the 271-strong National Constituent Assembly. — AFP
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