Tunisian President Saied Assumes Executive Authority
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Following the protests in Tunisia on Sunday, Tunisian President Kais Saied suspends the Parliament and dismisses Prime Minister Mechichi.
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Tunian President Kais Saied
Al Mayadeen correspondent in Tunisia reported that Tunisian President Kais Saied chaired an emergency meeting at Carthage Palace, after which he decided to "assume executive authority," following the return of protests across the country.
Our correspondent also reported that President Saied dismissed PM Hichem Mechichi and said that his actions "are in line with the constitution."
"What I'm currently doing is in line with the law. I cannot remain silent and stand idle. I must assume responsibility, and that I did," said President Saied.
Moreover, Al Mayadeen correspondent said, "President Saied suspended the Parliament," and "lifted immunity of all MPs."
She also noted that there are reports about the arrest of prominent Tunisian figures.
Another correspondent reported that the military has been deployed in the Tunisian capital, Tunis.
Tunisian Parliament Speaker Rached Ghannouchi told Reuters that President Saied launched "a coup against the revolution and the constitution," following his actions.
"We consider the institutions to be still standing, and the supporters of Ennahda and the Tunisian people will defend the revolution," he added to the agency over the phone.
"What Kais Saied is doing is a coup d'etat against the revolution and against the constitution, and the members of Ennahda and the Tunisian people will defend the revolution," said Ennahda Movement in a statement.
Ennahda MP Mohammed Al-Qumani said, "Prime Minister Mechichi is being held in the Carthage Palace."
Ennahda held a press conference Sunday in light of the latest developments in Tunisia. Ali al-Arid, a prominent figure in the Movement, said: "We practiced self-restraint so we don't respond to violence with violence. We rely on the state institutions."
On Sunday, Al Mayadeen correspondent in Tunisia reported protests in front of Ennahda Movement's headquarters in El Kef, "where protestors ripped the movement's banners off the walls."
On its part, Ennahda commented on the developments by saying, "Anarchist groups attacked some headquarters across the country."
It is worth noting that protests are being held in several Tunisian governorates, including Tozeur, Kairouan, and Sidi Bouzid, near the Parliament. All these protests have the same slogan: the dissolvement of the Parliament and the stepping down of Mechichi's government.
