Tunisian military closes parliament and prevents deputies from entering it

At dawn today, Monday, Tunisian soldiers prevented the speaker and members of the House of Representatives from entering the parliament's headquarters, and informed them that they had instructions to close Parliament.

Parliament Speaker Rashid Ghannouchi and some deputies have arrived at the headquarters.

They were unable to cross the iron gate of the council headquarters.

"I am the president of the council, I stand in front of the institution that I head, and the army prevents me from entering it," Ghannouchi said.

Ghannouchi denounced the use of the army to implement the decisions of President Kais Saied, which he said violated the constitution and the principles of the revolution.

He called on the army officers to unite with the people and defend their revolution and freedom "as we have entrusted them".

He said that the Council's sessions will continue on schedule, according to decisions taken by the parliamentary blocs later.

He called on all the blocs and currents to stand together to defend the parliament and the constitution.

On Sunday evening, Tunisian President Kais Saied announced the freezing of parliament and the lifting of immunity from deputies, and vowed to pursue spoilers and deal firmly with "sedition seekers".

The Tunisian president said in a televised speech that he had relieved Prime Minister Hicham Al-Mashishi from his post.

"I decided to take over the executive authority with the help of a prime minister that I appoint," Saeed said.

Said announced these measures under Article 80 of the constitution, after an emergency meeting at the Carthage Palace, while the country is facing an unprecedented health crisis due to the outbreak of the Corona virus and power struggles.

Tunisian Parliament Speaker Rached Ghannouchi accused President Kais Saied of "overturning the revolution and the constitution."

He stressed that Parliament is in permanent session, given the state of emergency, and will continue to function normally.

He recalled that the constitution requires that the House of Representatives be in permanent session and prevents the government from being dissolved.