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Tunisian President Saied Files Paperwork to Run in October's Election

A supporter of Tunisian President Kais Saied hold his image as he stands under a huge national flag, during a rally along the Habib Bourguiba Avenue in Tunis, on July 25, 2024, as the nation celebrates the 67th anniversary of foundation of the republic. (Photo by FETHI BELAID / AFP)
A supporter of Tunisian President Kais Saied hold his image as he stands under a huge national flag, during a rally along the Habib Bourguiba Avenue in Tunis, on July 25, 2024, as the nation celebrates the 67th anniversary of foundation of the republic. (Photo by FETHI BELAID / AFP)
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Tunisian President Saied Files Paperwork to Run in October's Election

A supporter of Tunisian President Kais Saied hold his image as he stands under a huge national flag, during a rally along the Habib Bourguiba Avenue in Tunis, on July 25, 2024, as the nation celebrates the 67th anniversary of foundation of the republic. (Photo by FETHI BELAID / AFP)
A supporter of Tunisian President Kais Saied hold his image as he stands under a huge national flag, during a rally along the Habib Bourguiba Avenue in Tunis, on July 25, 2024, as the nation celebrates the 67th anniversary of foundation of the republic. (Photo by FETHI BELAID / AFP)

Tunisian President Kais Saied filed papers Monday to run in the October presidential election, where he is expected to face little competition.
Saied submitted 242,224 signatures from registered voters to qualify for inclusion on the Oct. 6 ballot in the North African nation, The Associated Press said.
Four other candidates have gathered signatures to run including Abir Moussi, a right-wing critic of the president who has been behind bars since she staged a protest outside his residence last year. Her attorneys said they filed her paperwork on Sunday.
Tunisia will publish a complete list of candidates by Saturday. The Independent High Authority for Elections requires candidates gather 10,000 signatures to appear on ballots.
Political participation has waned in Tunisia since the country's longtime Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was overthrown in 2011. Last year's local elections saw a turnout of 11%.

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Arab World

EU Could Lift Some Syria Sanctions Quickly

FILED - 30 September 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot speaks during a press conference at the Pine Residence, the official residence of the French ambassador to Lebanon. Photo: Marwan Naamani/dpa
FILED - 30 September 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot speaks during a press conference at the Pine Residence, the official residence of the French ambassador to Lebanon. Photo: Marwan Naamani/dpa
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EU Could Lift Some Syria Sanctions Quickly

FILED - 30 September 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot speaks during a press conference at the Pine Residence, the official residence of the French ambassador to Lebanon. Photo: Marwan Naamani/dpa
FILED - 30 September 2024, Lebanon, Beirut: French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot speaks during a press conference at the Pine Residence, the official residence of the French ambassador to Lebanon. Photo: Marwan Naamani/dpa

European Union sanctions in Syria that obstruct the delivery of humanitarian aid and hinder the country's recovery could be lifted swiftly, France's foreign minister said Wednesday.
The United States on Monday issued a sanctions exemption for transactions with governing institutions in Syria for six months after the end of Bashar al-Assad's rule to try to ease the flow of humanitarian assistance.
Speaking to France Inter radio, Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said the EU could take a similar decision soon without giving precise timing, while adding that lifting more political sanctions would depend on how Syria's new leadership handled the transition and ensured exclusivity.
"There are other (sanctions), which today hinder access to humanitarian aid, which hinder the recovery of the country. These could be lifted quickly," said Barrot, who met Syria's de facto leader Ahmed al-Sharaa on Friday with Germany's foreign minister.
"Finally, there are other sanctions, which we are discussing with our European partners, which could be lifted, but obviously depending on the pace at which our expectations for Syria regarding women and security are taken into account."
Three European diplomats speaking on condition of anonymity said the EU would seek to agree to lift some sanctions by the time the bloc's 27 foreign ministers meet in Brussels on Jan. 27.
Two of the diplomats said one aim was to facilitate financial transactions to allow funds to return to the country, ease air transport and lessen sanctions targeting the energy sector to improve power supplies.
Syria suffers from severe power shortages, with state-supplied electricity available two or three hours per day in most areas. The caretaker government says it aims to provide electricity for up to eight hours per day within two months.
The US waivers allow some energy transactions and personal remittances to Syria until July 7, but do not remove any sanctions.