Opposition Party Slams Attempts to Exclude Tunisian President from Political Scene

Tunisian Prime Minister-designate Hichem Mechichi (AFP)
Tunisian Prime Minister-designate Hichem Mechichi (AFP)
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Opposition Party Slams Attempts to Exclude Tunisian President from Political Scene

Tunisian Prime Minister-designate Hichem Mechichi (AFP)
Tunisian Prime Minister-designate Hichem Mechichi (AFP)

The People's Movement in Tunisia will confront all attempts to isolate and exclude Tunisian President Kais Saied from the political scene, its head Zouhair Maghzaoui has affirmed.

Maghzaoui said in radio statements that the battle with some influential political parties “is fabricated and aims at exerting additional pressure on Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi.”

He warned of repeated blackmailing attempts against former PMs in the past years, denying accusations that the opposition has been trying to take over the parliament by preparing to form a new alliance.

Maghzaoui also slammed statements by Parliament Speaker Rached Ghannouchi, who stressed the parliament’s need to restore the political initiative in a modified parliamentary system.

“Attempts to undermine and weaken the parliament are taking place from within,” Ghannouchi noted.

Meanwhile, Head of the opposition Democratic Current Hichem Ajbouni said his party will hold a meeting on Sunday in the capital, Tunis.

It will be attended by leaders of the National Council and the political and executive bureau and members of the parliamentary bloc to discuss the party’s situation.

They will discuss several issues, including nominating candidates to fill the vacancy of the secretary general’s post in the National Council, following Mohamed Abbou’s resignation on Sep.2.

According to Ajbouni, former Education Minister Mohamed Hamdi has been designated as deputy secretary general of the party’s administration until the National Council convenes in the first week of October to elect a new secretary general.

Ajbouni pointed out that Sunday’s meeting will tackle future priorities of the parliamentary work, which mainly focuses on establishing the Constitutional Court, reviewing the parliament's internal system and amending the electoral law.

Possible political alliances and parliamentary fronts during the next parliamentary round will also be discussed.

According to sources close to the Democratic Current, part of the discussions will focus on launching an initiative to form a parliamentary coalition to face the one headed by Ennahda, Heart of Tunisia, and Al-Karama coalition (with 82MPs).

Sources affirmed that this coalition is aimed at creating balance in the political and parliamentary scenes and preparing for an exceptional national council session on October 3 and 4.



US Military Says It Strikes Iran-Backed Militia Facility in Syria

A convoy of US military vehicles near Qamishli, Syria, February 2020. (SANA/via Reuters)
A convoy of US military vehicles near Qamishli, Syria, February 2020. (SANA/via Reuters)
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US Military Says It Strikes Iran-Backed Militia Facility in Syria

A convoy of US military vehicles near Qamishli, Syria, February 2020. (SANA/via Reuters)
A convoy of US military vehicles near Qamishli, Syria, February 2020. (SANA/via Reuters)

US forces conducted strikes in Syria against Iranian-aligned militia groups for a second day in a row Tuesday in response to further attacks on US personnel, US Central Command said late Tuesday.

In the latest retaliatory strikes, US forces hit a weapons storage and logistics facility after militia groups launched a rocket attack on US personnel at Patrol Base Shaddadi in Eastern Syria.

Earlier Tuesday, Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said that over the weekend the militias had also targeted US personnel with a drone attack and indirect fires at another base, Green Village, where US troops are operating — which prompted the US to strike nine militia targets on Monday in self-defense.

There are about 900 US troops deployed in Syria. No US troops were injured in either attack.