Ghannouchi Proposes Solution to Overcome ‘Constitutional Oath’ Crisis

Part of the strike by the Tunisian Airlines crews in the capital on Friday, February 19, 2021. (EPA)
Part of the strike by the Tunisian Airlines crews in the capital on Friday, February 19, 2021. (EPA)
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Ghannouchi Proposes Solution to Overcome ‘Constitutional Oath’ Crisis

Part of the strike by the Tunisian Airlines crews in the capital on Friday, February 19, 2021. (EPA)
Part of the strike by the Tunisian Airlines crews in the capital on Friday, February 19, 2021. (EPA)

Tunisian parliament Speaker Rached Ghannouchi has proposed an initiative in an attempt to overcome the political crisis in the country.

He suggested holding an urgent tripartite meeting with President Kais Saied and Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi as soon as possible to resolve the “constitutional oath” crisis.

He also called on Saied to gather heads of the several parties in the country to exchange visions and advice over the situation and the required decisions, in light of the economic, social, and health crises.

Spokesman of Ennahda Movement Fathi al-Ayadi said Ghannouchi sent a letter to the President urging him to reassure Tunisians and the world.

“Despite the differences among Tunisian political figures and the growing incitement rhetoric, Tunisia remains a country with trustful institutions, and it needs to provide medicine, food, work and security for its people, as well as ensure calm, develop a spirit of solidarity and broaden the circle of national unity,” the letter read.

Meanwhile, a group of opposition parties announced their support for the efforts by national organizations seeking to bridge the gap between Saied and Mechichi.

These efforts aim to develop practical proposals that would enable the country to overcome its crisis, they stressed.

The leaderships of the Republican Party, the People’s Movement, the Democratic Forum for Labor and Liberties party, and the Democratic Current party considered their meetings an attempt to define means out of the multi-faceted crisis Tunisia is going through.

In this regard, Secretary-General of the Republican Party Essam al-Shabbi stressed that they will try to urge a solution to the political crisis.

The Republican Party has begun consulting with the General Labor Union about its role, especially after calling for a national dialogue, presenting its initiative to the head of state, and providing details about the “Panel of the Wise and Mediators,” which will head the dialogue sessions.

Commenting on the steps taken to dissolve the differences between the two heads of the executive authority, analyst Jamel Arfaoui told Asharq Al-Awsat that it won’t be an easy task.

He pointed to the challenges facing the meeting between Mechichi and Saied and the escalation in their political positions and their unwillingness to compromise.

Both have sought to complicate the crisis from the beginning and have had no intention to overcome their differences, he stressed.



Damascus, Amman Agree to Facilitate Travel of Syrians through Nassib Border-Crossing

The Syrian ministers tour the Nassib border-crossing with Jordan. (Syrian Ministry of Transport)
The Syrian ministers tour the Nassib border-crossing with Jordan. (Syrian Ministry of Transport)
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Damascus, Amman Agree to Facilitate Travel of Syrians through Nassib Border-Crossing

The Syrian ministers tour the Nassib border-crossing with Jordan. (Syrian Ministry of Transport)
The Syrian ministers tour the Nassib border-crossing with Jordan. (Syrian Ministry of Transport)

The Syrian and Jordanian governments have been exerting efforts to facilitate the travel of Syrians through the Nassib-Jaber border-crossing between their countries.

The governments are in agreement over the need to improve the crossing, located in the southern Daraa governorate, and remove hurdles that impede the flow of travelers from both countries, especially amid the Israeli assault against Hezbollah in Lebanon and its targeting of the majority of crossings between Syria and Lebanon.

Informed sources in Damascus said there was an agreement between Syria and Jordan over this issue as part of efforts to keep southern Syrian regions away from the Israeli escalation.

The governments are also keen on seizing the opportunity to improve trade exchange across the crossing after several Syrian travelers shifted their transit from Beirut’s Rafik Hariri International Airport to the Queen Alia International Airport in Jordan.

On Sunday, a Syrian government delegation, including the ministers of interior, transport, local administration and finance, toured the Nassib crossing to inspect the improvements there and the movement of travelers and goods.

Interior Minister Mohammed al-Rahmoun vowed to “ease” all obstacles, noting an improvement in services.

Communication is also present with officials on the Jordanian side of the border to overcome any problems, he added.

Daraa Governor Asaad Toukan had said the crossing needs “constant development” in aspects related to services, tourism and trade given that it is Syria’s gateway to Jordan and the Gulf region.

The ministers’ visit took place a week after Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman al-Safadi held talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus.

The informed sources said Amman had been imposing strict measures on Syrians and the transit of goods from Syria to the kingdom as part of its efforts to limit the flow of Syrian refugees to Jordan and combat drug smuggling.

The restrictions did impact movement at the crossing, with travelers being forced to wait more than seven hours to cross. Trucks had to wait days, even weeks, to pass.

The Israeli escalation in Lebanon, however, has led to faster measures and the suspension of some restrictions.