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.



Iraqi Factions Plan to Escalate Attacks

A view of the Ain al-Asad base in Anbar, Iraq (Reuters)
A view of the Ain al-Asad base in Anbar, Iraq (Reuters)
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Iraqi Factions Plan to Escalate Attacks

A view of the Ain al-Asad base in Anbar, Iraq (Reuters)
A view of the Ain al-Asad base in Anbar, Iraq (Reuters)

Iran-backed armed groups in Iraq have used the delay in the US-led coalition's withdrawal as a reason to step up their attacks, citing “diplomatic failure” and “Washington’s stalling” in talks with the Iraqi government.
Two factions within the “Islamic Resistance in Iraq” said they are “ready to resume operations” and that the “truce brokered by the Iraqi government is effectively over.”
Last Thursday, Iraq’s Foreign Ministry announced that Baghdad postponed the announcement of the coalition's withdrawal due to “recent developments,” including the bombing of the Ain al-Asad base.
Later, Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said that while “withdrawal negotiations are ongoing, the situation has changed.”
Kazem Al-Fartousi, spokesperson for the “Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada” faction, said the government hasn’t informed them that talks with the US have stopped for any reason.
He stressed that Iraqi resistance factions have always been clear: if diplomacy fails to end the US presence, they will resume operations to free all Iraqi territory.
However, Al-Fartousi added that they are “waiting for an official update from the government on the negotiations” and noted that “the Americans aren’t serious about withdrawing.”
Meanwhile, the “Nujaba Movement” announced it is “no longer bound by the truce with US forces,” which was meant to give the Iraqi government time to negotiate.
Haider Al-Lami, a political council member of Nujaba Movement, stated that “resistance factions have ended the truce, and all options are on the table to target US bases in Iraq.”
He also accused the US of stalling in the withdrawal talks.
Iraqi media reported that leaders of armed factions met recently to discuss the impact of delaying the US withdrawal.
The meeting concluded that “attacks on US forces will soon resume with greater intensity,” regardless of what happens in Gaza, even if Hamas reaches a ceasefire.