The Council shall ensure the independence of the judiciary in Tunisia.

The announcement of the dissolution came on Sunday, and is seen as another decision that strengthens the president's power.

Last summer, Saïed closed parliament and ousted the government.

Since then, he has issued several decrees that are considered to infringe on democracy.

Diplomats from the G7 countries and from the EU representative said they were "deeply concerned about the message of dissolving the Council, whose task is to ensure that the judicial system works and to ensure that its independence is respected".

The so-called jasmine uprising in North Africa began in Tunisia in December 2010. The protests did not lead to any major democratic changes in the countries where protesters demanded increased influence.

Tunisia was the exception, but observers see a great danger that the North African country will return to authoritarian rule after Saïed's takeover.