Tunisia Parties Announce National Conference to ‘Salvage’ the Country

Tunisians demonstrate in front of the Court of First Instance, demanding the release of those arrested during recent demonstrations in Tunis, Tunisia, 17 February 2021. EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA
Tunisians demonstrate in front of the Court of First Instance, demanding the release of those arrested during recent demonstrations in Tunis, Tunisia, 17 February 2021. EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA
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Tunisia Parties Announce National Conference to ‘Salvage’ the Country

Tunisians demonstrate in front of the Court of First Instance, demanding the release of those arrested during recent demonstrations in Tunis, Tunisia, 17 February 2021. EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA
Tunisians demonstrate in front of the Court of First Instance, demanding the release of those arrested during recent demonstrations in Tunis, Tunisia, 17 February 2021. EPA/MOHAMED MESSARA

General coordinator of the Tunisian opposition’s Soumoud Coalition Hussam Al-Hami has revealed plans to hold a “popular national conference” by July as an attempt to “salvage” the country.

The conference would follow local and regional conferences, in addition to economic, political and social workshops in cooperation with national organizations, associations and parties.

Its purpose is to come out with practical recommendations to resolve Tunisia’s crises.

The revelation was made during a meeting held by representatives of parties, associations and organizations in Tunis on Wednesday to discuss preparations for the conference and to present their initial visions on it.

Hami told Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper that the conference would bring together all civil society components for proposals on Tunisia’s main issues, and to find solutions to the economic, social and political crises in the country.

He hoped that parties working on reform programs for years would consider the conference as an “opportunity” to press for their demands.

The session was attended by partisans and politicians, mostly from the left-wing, in addition to deputies, syndicate figures and representatives of associations.

In a related matter, head of Ennahda Movement's Shura Council Abdelkarim Harouni called for Prime Minister Hisham Al-Mashishi to chair a political dialogue among parties and organizations to overcome the political deadlock caused by the dispute between the two heads of the executive authority.

For his part, Mashishi approved a cabinet reshuffle that includes 11 portfolios to hinder any potential coalition between the president and the Tunisian General Labor Union.

A constitutional crisis erupted when the president rejected this amendment.



Egypt Proposes ‘Safe Zones’ in Gaza Reconstruction Plan

Machinery for debris removal on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing awaits entry into Gaza. (AFP)
Machinery for debris removal on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing awaits entry into Gaza. (AFP)
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Egypt Proposes ‘Safe Zones’ in Gaza Reconstruction Plan

Machinery for debris removal on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing awaits entry into Gaza. (AFP)
Machinery for debris removal on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing awaits entry into Gaza. (AFP)

Egypt is finalizing a comprehensive plan for Gaza’s reconstruction, which includes the establishment of “safe zones,” as it announced the postponement of an emergency Arab summit on developments in the Palestinian issue to allow for further logistical and substantive preparations.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in an official statement on Tuesday that Cairo will host the emergency Arab summit on March 4.

The ministry added that the new date was set in coordination with Bahrain, which holds the current presidency of the Arab League summit, and after consultations with Arab states.

Egypt had initially announced last week that it would host the emergency Arab summit on February 27.

However, Arab League Assistant Secretary-General Hossam Zaki said in a televised interview on Sunday night that the summit was likely to be postponed by a few days for logistical, not political, reasons, emphasizing that Cairo wanted the highest possible turnout of Arab leaders.

The call for an emergency Arab summit came after former US President Donald Trump suggested taking control of Gaza and relocating its residents to neighboring countries, particularly Egypt and Jordan.

The proposal triggered widespread regional and international condemnation and spurred a unified Arab stance rejecting any forced displacement.

Egypt has announced plans to present a comprehensive reconstruction proposal for Gaza that ensures Palestinians remain on their land, a plan currently being coordinated with Arab states.

According to Egypt’s Al-Ahram newspaper, Cairo has outlined a broad vision for rebuilding Gaza, centered on establishing safe zones for Palestinians.

The plan involves Egyptian and international companies clearing debris and restoring infrastructure within a short timeframe.

The report added that Egypt has called for an international conference on Gaza’s reconstruction, stressing that the scale of destruction requires tens of billions of dollars.

Cairo’s approach, it noted, is based on a practical and actionable plan that preserves Palestinian presence on the ground.