Tunisia's PM-designate Approves 18-month Political ‘Truce’

Tunisian Prime Minister-designate Hisham Mechichi is shown being sworn into a previous post as interior minister outside the capital Tunis, February 27, 2020. Fethi Belaid/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
Tunisian Prime Minister-designate Hisham Mechichi is shown being sworn into a previous post as interior minister outside the capital Tunis, February 27, 2020. Fethi Belaid/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
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Tunisia's PM-designate Approves 18-month Political ‘Truce’

Tunisian Prime Minister-designate Hisham Mechichi is shown being sworn into a previous post as interior minister outside the capital Tunis, February 27, 2020. Fethi Belaid/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo
Tunisian Prime Minister-designate Hisham Mechichi is shown being sworn into a previous post as interior minister outside the capital Tunis, February 27, 2020. Fethi Belaid/Pool via REUTERS/File Photo

Tunisian Prime Minister-designate Hisham Mechichi has expressed willingness to convene with political parties represented in the parliament.

He also welcomed on Thursday all initiatives to form the new government, including a proposal made by the People's Movement for a so-called 18-month political “truce.”

During a press conference, Mechichi stressed the importance of solidarity among various ministers.

As for the government’s program, Mechichi revealed that he will draft a document, on resolving economic and social problems, to be proposed to the parliament.

Tunisian parties have expressed conditional support to Mechichi’s proposed lineup. The People's Movement introduced an initiative that aims to overcome a political trust crisis, while Tahya Tounes insisted on three conditions to back the government.

President of the Free Destourian Party (PDL) Abir Moussim, in an open letter to the PM-designate, said that PDL would give its confidence to the cabinet “if none of its members is affiliated with the Muslim Brotherhood.”

Head of the People's Movement Zouhair Maghzaoui called for a political accord on granting confidence to the government under the condition that the PM-designate presents a clear vision on resolving Tunisia’s economic, social, and financial problems, and amends the electoral law within 18 months.

A parliamentary session dedicated to granting a vote of confidence to the cabinet is scheduled for early next month. The government lineup includes 28 qualified and independent figures.



Türkiye Says Israel’s Move to Ban UNRWA Violates International Law

Israeli soldiers take position as they enter the UNRWA headquarter where the military said it discovered tunnels underneath of the UN agency that the military says Hamas used to attack its forces during a ground operation in Gaza, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. (AP)
Israeli soldiers take position as they enter the UNRWA headquarter where the military said it discovered tunnels underneath of the UN agency that the military says Hamas used to attack its forces during a ground operation in Gaza, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. (AP)
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Türkiye Says Israel’s Move to Ban UNRWA Violates International Law

Israeli soldiers take position as they enter the UNRWA headquarter where the military said it discovered tunnels underneath of the UN agency that the military says Hamas used to attack its forces during a ground operation in Gaza, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. (AP)
Israeli soldiers take position as they enter the UNRWA headquarter where the military said it discovered tunnels underneath of the UN agency that the military says Hamas used to attack its forces during a ground operation in Gaza, Thursday, Feb. 8, 2024. (AP)

Türkiye’s foreign ministry said on Tuesday that Israel's decision to ban the UN relief agency UNRWA from operating inside of the country was a clear violation of international law that aimed to prevent displaced Palestinians from returning home.

Israel's parliament passed a law on Monday to ban UNRWA from operating inside Israel, alarming some of Israel's Western allies who fear this will worsen the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.

In a statement, the Turkish Foreign Ministry said the move aimed to disrupt efforts to reach a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, adding UNRWA provided vital help to Palestinians.

"It is the legal and moral obligation of the international community to take a strong stance against attempts to ban UNRWA, which was established by a UN General Assembly resolution," the ministry said. "As the Chair of the Working Group on the Financing of UNRWA, Türkiye will continue to provide political and financial support to the Agency," it added.

UNRWA has been fiercely critical of Israel's offensives in Gaza and Lebanon. It has halted all trade with Israel, applied to join a genocide case against Israel at the World Court, and repeatedly called for an end to Western support of Israel along with international measures to stop its assaults.