Tunisia.. Appointment of 9 senior security officials, including a new Director General of Intelligence

The Tunisian Ministry of Interior said today, Thursday, that it has appointed nine senior security officials, including a new director general of intelligence, in what appears to be a step by President Kais Saied to extend his influence over the security apparatus, after he said a few days ago that there were attempts to infiltrate the Ministry of the Interior.

Saeed had dismissed Prime Minister Hisham al-Mashishi and suspended parliament on July 25, as part of exceptional measures that his opponents described as a coup.

More than three weeks after Qais Saeed's sudden move, which gained wide popular support, he has not yet appointed a prime minister and has not announced his plans to manage the next phase, raising questions about the democratic path that the country has taken since the 2011 revolution.

Sources close to the presidential palace said that Saeed first wants to introduce radical changes to the state's apparatus, especially the security apparatus, after it has been the subject of political friction during the past decade.

Saeed said last week that there were attempts to infiltrate the Ministry of Interior and that he would not allow it without giving more details.

The Ministry of the Interior said in a statement that Sami Al Yahyaoui was appointed Director General of the Competent Services (Intelligence) and Murad Hussein as Director General of Public Security, while Makram Aqeed was appointed Director General of the Security Pole for Combating Terrorism and Organized Crime.

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