عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Tunisian Officials under House Arrest over Corruption Suspicions

Crowds gather on the street after Tunisia’s president suspended parliament, in La Marsa, near Tunis, Tunisia July 26, 2021, in this still image obtained from a social media video. (Reuters)
Crowds gather on the street after Tunisia’s president suspended parliament, in La Marsa, near Tunis, Tunisia July 26, 2021, in this still image obtained from a social media video. (Reuters)
TT
TT

Tunisian Officials under House Arrest over Corruption Suspicions

Crowds gather on the street after Tunisia’s president suspended parliament, in La Marsa, near Tunis, Tunisia July 26, 2021, in this still image obtained from a social media video. (Reuters)
Crowds gather on the street after Tunisia’s president suspended parliament, in La Marsa, near Tunis, Tunisia July 26, 2021, in this still image obtained from a social media video. (Reuters)

Tunisian official judicial and security sources confirmed that the new Minister of Interior, Khaled Al Yahyaoui, recently issued decisions that placed former ministers, judges and public figures under house arrest for their suspected involvement in corruption and abuse of power.

Among them are two senior judicial officials, Taieb Rached and Bechir Akremi, who have served in the judiciary for nearly 20 years. Others included former Minister of Transport and Communication Technology and prominent Ennahda member Anouar Maarouf, and former Minister of Environment and Local Governments before the 2019 elections, Riadh Mouakher.

Head of parliament’s anti-corruption committee and leading member of the People’s Movement, Badreddine Gammoudi, who is close to the Carthage Palace, stated that a number of “very well-known” personalities were placed under house arrest or were prevented from traveling, including some senior figures who served during the tenure of former Prime Minister Youssef Chahed.

Some lawyers expected that the investigation with the senior officials would open files of corruption and “large-scale” financial and administrative misconduct pertaining to state real estate and other deals that include some “big smugglers”, ministers, politicians and administrators in the pre- and post-revolution 2011 eras.

The cases will also lead to the reopening of files concerning businessmen and politicians, whose properties and financial assets were confiscated by the authorities during the last three years of the rule of late President Beji Caid Essebsi and his prime minister, Chahed.

Judicial, human rights and union organizations and personalities have called on the authorities to respect law and human rights and to expedite the formation of the “new economic government”, in order to put an end to the “political and administrative vacuum” that most state institutions have been experiencing since the president sacked Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and the government and suspended parliament.

Observers noted that over the past two weeks, President Kais Saied has not met publicly with any of the leaders of the parliamentary and opposition political parties. Rather, he only received representatives of unions and civil society for brief meetings.

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Political Stalemate Opens Door to Re-elections in Iraqi Kurdistan

New Generation party leader Shaswar Abdulwahid (NRT Channel)
New Generation party leader Shaswar Abdulwahid (NRT Channel)
TT
TT

Political Stalemate Opens Door to Re-elections in Iraqi Kurdistan

New Generation party leader Shaswar Abdulwahid (NRT Channel)
New Generation party leader Shaswar Abdulwahid (NRT Channel)

The stagnant situation in the Kurdistan Region is stirring towards the formation of a new government, a process delayed for nearly two years since the elections in October 2024; however, the task may prove difficult due to skirmishes between two camps of rival parties vying for greater influence within the anticipated ministerial lineup.

Despite the presence of emerging parties like the New Generation in the alliance map, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), led by Masoud Barzani, and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), led by Bafel Talabani, still control the political tempo in the Kurdish region of Iraq.

A KDP leader stated that "the continued failure to form a government brings the factions closer to the option of re-elections", while the rival front demands the position of Prime Minister in the region and an equal share of government positions, according to politicians and activists.

Both the PUK and the New Generation are betting on an alliance that, so far, secures about 38 seats, bringing them close to the KDP's 39 seats, out of the one hundred seats that make up the Kurdistan Region Parliament.

Given this numerical equation, the numerically smaller parties in parliament play the role of a "kingmaker" that can tip the scales for one of the two fronts over the other, leading to an absolute majority (51 seats), which fuels the political squabbles and maneuvers active in the public sphere these days.

Arab World

Regional Turmoil Fuels Growing Defense Cooperation Between Egypt, Türkiye

An Egyptian-Turkish joint air exercise hosted at Egyptian air bases this month (Egyptian military spokesman) 
An Egyptian-Turkish joint air exercise hosted at Egyptian air bases this month (Egyptian military spokesman) 
TT
TT

Regional Turmoil Fuels Growing Defense Cooperation Between Egypt, Türkiye

An Egyptian-Turkish joint air exercise hosted at Egyptian air bases this month (Egyptian military spokesman) 
An Egyptian-Turkish joint air exercise hosted at Egyptian air bases this month (Egyptian military spokesman) 

Egypt and Türkiye have stepped up military cooperation in recent months through a series of joint exercises, the launch of a high-level military dialogue in Cairo, and the signing of a “framework military agreement” four months ago, against the backdrop of escalating regional tensions.

Türkiye’s Ministry of National Defense announced Thursday that the Turkish, Egyptian and Azerbaijani air forces are conducting their first trilateral air exercise in Turkish airspace. The announcement came days after the conclusion of a separate Egyptian-Turkish air drill. The Turkish Armed Forces also said that Chief of the General Staff Gen. Selcuk Bayraktaroglu held talks with Egyptian officials in Cairo on Thursday.

Military officers and analysts told Asharq Al-Awsat that the expanding defense partnership is primarily intended as a deterrent amid regional instability. They said it is part of the broader Egyptian-Turkish rapprochement and reflects growing coordination on key regional issues.

Relations between Cairo and Ankara have steadily improved after years of estrangement. The two countries reinforced ties by establishing a Strategic Cooperation Council, which held its second meeting in Cairo in February during President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s visit to Egypt. The meeting produced several cooperation agreements, including a framework military accord.

Alongside closer political coordination, defense ties have expanded through a series of joint exercises. According to Türkiye’s Defense Ministry, the trilateral drill will run through July 3 and is designed to enhance operational capabilities while testing new technical and tactical procedures for air operations.

The exercise follows a bilateral Egyptian-Turkish air drill held at Egyptian air bases from June 11 to 21, involving multirole fighter aircraft of various types.

Military cooperation has also expanded beyond air operations. Egypt and Türkiye conducted the Sea of Friendship naval exercise in the Mediterranean in September 2025, while Turkish and Egyptian special forces held joint training in Ankara from April 21 to 29, 2025.

 

Maj. Gen. Nasr Salem, former head of the Egyptian Armed Forces Reconnaissance Department, and advisor at the Nasser Military Academy for Postgraduate Studies, said joint exercises serve several strategic objectives, including exchanging expertise and enhancing combat readiness.

Salem told Asharq Al-Awsat that the intensified Egyptian-Turkish drills also send a deterrent message in light of regional turmoil by demonstrating the capabilities and preparedness of both militaries to confront threats to their national security and strategic interests. “The principle of military deterrence,” he stated, “is that if you want to prevent war, you must prepare for it.”

In parallel with the exercises, Egypt and Türkiye held a high-level military dialogue attended by Egyptian Armed Forces Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Ahmed Fathi Khalifa, Bayraktaroglu, and senior military officials from both countries, Türkiye’s Defense Ministry said.

Political analyst Taha Oghlu, who specializes in Turkish affairs and international relations, described Egyptian-Turkish ties as undergoing “an unprecedented rapprochement.” He said cooperation now extends beyond diplomacy to encompass deepening military and defense ties, reflected in joint exercises and the launch of the military dialogue.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat, Oghlu said the defense partnership is driven by shared interests and growing coordination on Libya, Syria, Gaza, and the Iran war. He added that instability across the Middle East — particularly the war in Gaza and the crisis in southern Lebanon — has accelerated the rapprochement.

The two countries have also intensified diplomatic contacts. Most recently, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan visited Cairo last week for talks with his Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty on bilateral ties. He also joined a meeting of the regional quartet comprising the foreign ministers of Egypt, Türkiye, Saudi Arabia, and Pakistan to discuss regional developments.

Oghlu said Azerbaijan’s participation in the latest exercise sends a clear signal that Egyptian-Turkish defense cooperation is acquiring broader strategic and geographic dimensions that extend beyond the Eastern Mediterranean and could help reshape the region’s security outlook.

 

 

Arab World

Lebanon President Says Israel Deal First Step to Restoring Sovereignty

Israeli and Lebanese flags hang in a memorial site on the border with Lebanon in northern Israel, Saturday, June 27, 2026 after Israel and Lebanon sign a framework agreement, described as a first step toward peace following months of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah. (AP)
Israeli and Lebanese flags hang in a memorial site on the border with Lebanon in northern Israel, Saturday, June 27, 2026 after Israel and Lebanon sign a framework agreement, described as a first step toward peace following months of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah. (AP)
TT
TT

Lebanon President Says Israel Deal First Step to Restoring Sovereignty

Israeli and Lebanese flags hang in a memorial site on the border with Lebanon in northern Israel, Saturday, June 27, 2026 after Israel and Lebanon sign a framework agreement, described as a first step toward peace following months of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah. (AP)
Israeli and Lebanese flags hang in a memorial site on the border with Lebanon in northern Israel, Saturday, June 27, 2026 after Israel and Lebanon sign a framework agreement, described as a first step toward peace following months of conflict between Israel and the Lebanese group Hezbollah. (AP)

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said a deal signed with Israel on Friday was a first step towards fully restoring his country's sovereignty after the latest war between Israel and the Iran-backed Hezbollah.

"The framework agreement signed today is a first step" that will enable Lebanese "to return to their fully liberated lands, and to their certainly rebuilt homes... under the sovereignty of the Lebanese state that has no partner in its sovereignty over its land and people," Aoun said according to a statement released by his office.

"We swear to continue to work until this is fully achieved. There will be no more occupation, prisoners, subordination or tutelage," he added.

Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the agreement "aims to achieve Israel's withdrawal from all Lebanese territory, restore state sovereignty over it" and see the return of displaced Lebanese.

"I look forward to the blessed moment when Israel begins to withdraw -- so that our dear people can return to their homes with safety and dignity -- and to the launch" of reconstruction efforts, Salam added, according to a statement.

Israel and Lebanon signed a framework agreement in Washington on Friday following several days of talks to secure an end to fighting between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah, though both sides framed the deal as an initial step.

"Today we've taken the first step in what will be a difficult journey, without a doubt, but an important and an essential and a necessary one," US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said before the agreement was inked.

Rubio added that the agreement ‌establishes ⁠a clear process ⁠to restore Lebanon's sovereignty, disarm Hezbollah and dismantle ⁠its infrastructure.

Hezbollah supporters block the old airport road in the southern suburbs of Beirut, with burning tires to protest against the trilateral agreement that was signed between the US, Israel and Lebanon on June 27, 2026. (AFP)

In a later statement he said that the US would facilitate the implementation of the deal through a trilateral "Military Coordination ‌Group for Lebanon" ‌and that Washington would commit significant resources, including an immediate $100 million in humanitarian assistance in coordination with ‌the ⁠UN.

Rubio added that ⁠the US reaffirmed its intent to improve the capabilities of the Lebanese Armed Forces "to more effectively establish sovereignty throughout Lebanese territory" with more than $30 million in funds under existing US authorities and appropriations.

Hezbollah warning

Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah warned that Lebanese officials who signed the agreement with Israel could not enforce the deal without sparking a civil war.

Lebanese "authorities will be unable to impose the implementation of the agreement signed in Washington unless they go, with American support, to civil war," said Fadlallah, whose party has long rejected the direct Israel-Lebanon talks.

He added that "what happened in Washington is an attempt to disrupt the Islamabad path, and without the resistance (Hezbollah) nothing will pass," referring to the initial agreement between the US and Iran on halting the Middle East war, which includes Lebanon.

After the announcement of the agreement, Hezbollah supporters took to the streets of Beirut late Friday in protest.

The state-run National News Agency (NNA) reported that "Hezbollah supporters rode motorbikes through the streets of Beirut" including central areas and along a road leading to the airport "in protest at the framework agreement announced between Lebanon and Israel".

Footage circulating on local outlets and social media showed hundreds of Hezbollah supporters on motorbikes and mopeds roaming Beirut's southern suburbs, the group's stronghold, before they headed to the heart of the capital.