Tunisian Opposition Parties Call for ‘National Salvation Conference’

Tunisian President Kais Saied speaks during his swearing-in ceremony at the Assembly of People's Representatives in Tunis, Tunisia. Reuters file photo
Tunisian President Kais Saied speaks during his swearing-in ceremony at the Assembly of People's Representatives in Tunis, Tunisia. Reuters file photo
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Tunisian Opposition Parties Call for ‘National Salvation Conference’

Tunisian President Kais Saied speaks during his swearing-in ceremony at the Assembly of People's Representatives in Tunis, Tunisia. Reuters file photo
Tunisian President Kais Saied speaks during his swearing-in ceremony at the Assembly of People's Representatives in Tunis, Tunisia. Reuters file photo

A number of Tunisian opposition parties have called for a "national salvation conference" to unite efforts in confronting the country’s economic and social crises.

They said the conference should be organized by President Kais Said, who was elected by the majority of the people. However, the president has not yet made an announcement.

The political initiative is led by the parliamentary National Reform bloc, headed by Hassouna Nasfi, and the People's Movement of Zouhair Maghzaoui.

They stressed the importance of overcoming sharp differences, especially that Ennahda Movement seeks to control the government to serve its narrow interests.

Maghzaoui indicated that the president has an opportunity to bring political parties closer as part of a national dialogue that would help end tensions among them.

Maghzaoui strongly criticized the Heart of Tunisia party for supporting the government of Hichem Mechichi, and for joining a parliamentary coalition led by Ennahda.

A number of political parties are forming a parliamentary bloc against the alliance led by Ennahda.

Maghzaoui said that the main purpose of the new alliance is to provide an alternative to the prevailing political division between Islamist political figures and parties of the old regime, in reference to the Free Destourian Party.

He revealed that this front supports the government even if they disagree on several positions and priorities.

The call for a national salvation conference is also supported by Mashrou Tounes movement, Beni Watani party, al-Amal party, and the Democratic party.



Israeli Strikes in Gaza Kill At Least 17

Israeli soldiers move on the top of a tank near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Israeli soldiers move on the top of a tank near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
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Israeli Strikes in Gaza Kill At Least 17

Israeli soldiers move on the top of a tank near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Israeli soldiers move on the top of a tank near the Israeli-Gaza border, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Aug. 21, 2024. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Israeli tank and drone strikes in Gaza on Wednesday killed at least 17 people, according to hospital staff and Associated Press journalists who counted the bodies.

In Khan Younis in the south, nine bodies, among them a woman and child, were rushed to Nasser Hospital. Meanwhile, the Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah received eight bodies.

The strikes in Deir al-Balah come as the Israeli military called for Palestinians in some parts of the central city to evacuate.

The UN humanitarian office has warned that mass evacuation orders by the Israeli military this month are pushing Palestinians into overcrowded and unsafe areas along the Gaza coast.

UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric told reporters that the latest orders issued Wednesday for part of Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis affect 115 sites with more than 150,000 displaced men, women and children, including UN and many informal and makeshift shelters.

The orders also impact offices, warehouses and residences of the United Nations and humanitarian organizations, and have made three water wells serving tens of thousands of people inaccessible, he said.