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Tunisia Seeks EU's Support as it Faces 'Exceptional Circumstances'

Tunisia's Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi (File Photo /AFP)
Tunisia's Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi (File Photo /AFP)
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Tunisia Seeks EU's Support as it Faces 'Exceptional Circumstances'

Tunisia's Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi (File Photo /AFP)
Tunisia's Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi (File Photo /AFP)

Tunisia's Foreign Minister Othman Jerandi reiterated the importance of the European partner adopting a comprehensive view of the Tunisian experience, taking into account the various economic, social, and regional factors that the country is going through.

During his meeting with EU Ambassador to Tunisia Marcus Cornaro, Jerandi said that his country adheres to the democratic option and is on a reform path that establishes true democracy.

Jerandi is confident that the European Union will continue to support Tunisia during these exceptional circumstances.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution concerning the situation in Tunisia, which called for a return to the democratic path.

But the political parties defending President Kais Saied's choices believe recent developments were "course correction and not a setback. However, other components described what the President did as a "coup" against the democratic path.

Saied invoked emergency powers under Article 80 of the constitution to sack Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, freeze parliament, lift the immunity of parliament members and make himself prosecutor general.

Meanwhile, Saied asserted to the European partners that Tunisia "will remain safe," and those working in the dark will not be able to achieve their goals.

Saied, accompanied by Prime Minister Naglaa Boden and Interior Minister Tawfiq Sharaf El-Din, inspected a tunnel discovered in the vicinity of the French ambassador's residence in Tunis.

On Wednesday, the Interior Minister announced that an anti-terrorism raid uncovered a tunnel being dug in the vicinity of the French ambassador's residence from a house frequented by a known extremist.

It said anti-terror officials are investigating the incident, without providing additional information.

Meanwhile, the Tunisian Human Rights League president, Jamal Musallam, called upon the four organizations that sponsored the 2013 national dialogue to propose a new national dialogue initiative.

Musallam said Tunisia is going through political instabilities that may impact the entire democratic path.

In a statement on the sidelines of a conference, Musallam said the new initiative's goal is to find a solution for the current situation within the framework of a dialogue that leads to actual reconciliation among the various components of Tunisian society.

Notably, Saied previously announced he was ready to launch a "wide national dialogue," with the participation of the youth as a starting point for changing the governing system in Tunisia, revising the constitution, and amending the electoral law.

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Arab World

Lebanese President Faces Domestic, Foreign Challenges

Newly-elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun poses for a picture with his family at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, January 9, 2025. Dalati Nohra/Handout via REUTERS
Newly-elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun poses for a picture with his family at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, January 9, 2025. Dalati Nohra/Handout via REUTERS
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Lebanese President Faces Domestic, Foreign Challenges

Newly-elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun poses for a picture with his family at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, January 9, 2025. Dalati Nohra/Handout via REUTERS
Newly-elected Lebanese President Joseph Aoun poses for a picture with his family at the presidential palace in Baabda, Lebanon, January 9, 2025. Dalati Nohra/Handout via REUTERS

The election of a new president in Lebanon does not mean the country has come out of the economic and political crises which have gutted it for years. Yet Thursday’s vote marks the beginning of a new phase that carries many challenges for the president and the upcoming government.

It is Joseph Aoun’s responsibility now to appoint a prime minister following binding parliamentary consultations and then form the Cabinet together with the PM.

According to observers, Aoun’s term should carry a roadmap to salvage the country, and a clear plan to address crises and domestic and foreign challenges.

However, there is no magic wand to solve Lebanon’s entire crises.

Instead, Aoun needs a unified working team that should draft a clear ministerial statement that reflects the President’s inaugural speech and his pledge of a “new era” for Lebanon.

“The president's speech constitutes a detailed program for governance. However, his program needs a cabinet capable of implementing it,” former Minister Ibrahim Najjar told Asharq Al-Awsat.

Najjar described the new President as an honest, clean and courageous Lebanese man.

“His election must be followed by the formation of a bold cabinet with new faces, capable of working and making achievements,” he said.

“The Lebanese people expect President Aoun to change the quota-based mentality of politicians. They hope his term will help remove old political figures, who are rooted in the Lebanese quagmire,” the former minister noted.

Former MP Fares Souaid told Asharq Al-Awsat that Aoun’s first task is to implement the Constitution and the National Accord document.

“In the early 1990s, the Constitution was no longer being implemented due to the Syrian occupation of Lebanon. In 2005, the Constitution was again ignored because of Iranian arms.”

Therefore, Soueid said, the Lebanese eagerly expect this new era to constitute a real opportunity for the implementation of both documents.

For years, Lebanon has failed to properly implement its Constitution and UN resolutions, mainly because some political parties had considered their implementation as “a target against their so-called resistance.”

“With the election of President Joseph Aoun, Lebanon has opened a blank page that could meet the aspirations of the Lebanese people, and write a new chapter in the country’s history,” Najjar said.

According to Soueid, Aoun has a task to return Lebanon to its Arab identity. “This is slowly beginning to show through the decline of Iranian influence in the region,” he said.

Also, Soueid said, the new President should mend Lebanon’s relations with the international community by implementing all UN resolutions.

Addressing Parliament and Lebanese people with an acceptance speech, Aoun on Thursday vowed that the Lebanese authorities will have the monopoly on arms and will be committed to a strong state that will extend its sovereignty over the entire territory.

“This is in line with UN resolutions, which if implemented, will bring Lebanon back to the Arab and international scene,” Soueid said.