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%.



Iraq Condemns 'Reckless' Attacks on Bases

Supporters and members of Iraq's PMF wave flags as they march in Baghdad to condemn a US air strike in the south of the capital that killed four members of the Hashed, on July 31, 2024. (AFP)
Supporters and members of Iraq's PMF wave flags as they march in Baghdad to condemn a US air strike in the south of the capital that killed four members of the Hashed, on July 31, 2024. (AFP)
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Iraq Condemns 'Reckless' Attacks on Bases

Supporters and members of Iraq's PMF wave flags as they march in Baghdad to condemn a US air strike in the south of the capital that killed four members of the Hashed, on July 31, 2024. (AFP)
Supporters and members of Iraq's PMF wave flags as they march in Baghdad to condemn a US air strike in the south of the capital that killed four members of the Hashed, on July 31, 2024. (AFP)

Iraq's military condemned on Tuesday "reckless" actions against bases on its soil and said it had captured a truck with a rocket launcher a day after at least five US personnel were wounded in an attack amid an escalation of Middle East conflict.

The region is on edge over the Gaza war and possible reprisals by Iran and its allies after the killing of senior members of militant groups Hamas and Hezbollah.

"We reject all reckless actions and practices targeting Iraqi bases, diplomatic missions, and the whereabouts of the international coalition's advisers, and everything that would raise tension in the region," the Iraqi military statement said.

The military did not confirm US personnel were injured, as US officials told Reuters, but did say two rockets were fired on Monday at Ain al-Asad air base in western Iraq from the nearby town of Haditha.

A small truck was seized with a rocket launcher fixed on the back. Eight unfired rockets were dismantled, the statement said.

"The formations in our security forces, through intelligence and security work, have obtained important information about the perpetrators of this attack against Ain al-Asad, and they are currently being pursued to bring them to justice," the statement added, without giving more details.

A rare ally of both the US and Iran, Iraq hosts 2,500 US troops and has Iran-backed militias linked to its security forces. It has witnessed escalating tit-for-tat attacks since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in October.