Tunisia: Rached Ghannouchi's positions on Libya spark controversy and anger

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In Tunisia, the congratulations sent last Tuesday by Rached Ghannouchi, president of the Tunisian parliament, to Fayez al Sarraj, Libyan Prime Minister, disturbs. It was during a phone call following the resumption of the strategic base of Al Witya, in the west Libya, until then in the hands of the forces of Khalifa Haftar. Several political parties in the parliament consider these statements to be in contradiction with the official Tunisian position which imposes neutrality vis-à-vis Libya.

Publicity

This Thursday, May 21, at the Assembly of People's Representatives (ARP), seven political parties in Tunis (including the Workers' Party and the Socialist Party) believe the attitude of the President of Ennahda inadequate with his office to head of parliament. They denounce: "  a way to go beyond the institutions of the State, to involve them in the Libyan conflict alongside the Muslim Brotherhood  " as well as to privilege "  the interest of the Muslim brothers over those of Tunisia  ".

" Unofficial relations "

Four other parties, including two participating in the government coalition, Qalb Tounes and Tahya Tounes, call for a dialogue session on parliamentary diplomacy: “  the problem is to involve parliament in political positions, some of which do not "would not agree with Tunisian diplomacy  ," said Mostapha ben Ahmed, leader of parliamentarians from the Tahya Tounes party.

As for Abir Moussi, who chairs the parliamentarians of the Dostorian party, she accuses President Rached Ghannouchi: "  of maintaining unofficial relations with the foreign parties and of having a secret agenda  ". Actions "obscure" according to her which pushes her to request the dismissal of the president. She was joined by two other parties of the Tunisian left.

Sling…

Already at the start of the year, calls to withdraw confidence from Rached Ghannouchi multiplied after his visit to Turkey in January and his meeting behind closed doors with President Reçep Tayyip Erdogan. His participation last March in an international conference organized by Qatar with Muslim brothers has increased the pressure and he is now accused of endangering Tunisian national security by his positions.

Rached Ghannouchi is also facing a popular campaign, which calls for his hearing on the origin of an alleged fortune. A petition that has been circulating for a week and has collected thousands of signatures.

The sling is also within the party, Ennahda, at the head of which he is called to resign. Several senior officials have resigned in recent months denouncing his way of handling the movement. Faced with these pressures, those close to Rached Ghannouchi denounce them a campaign orchestrated and funded by foreigners.

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• Tunisia
• Diplomacy
• Libya