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| Africa North |
| Tunisia interim leader to form unity government |
| 2011-01-17 |
| [Maghrebia] Tunisia is trying to restore order following the "Jasmine Revolution" that led former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali to leave the country on Friday. Until new presidential elections are held within the next two months, Chamber of Deputies Speaker Foued Mebazza will be Tunisia's president. Ben Ali is now in Jeddah, the Saudi Royal Palace confirmed Saturday (January 15th). The same day, Mebazza was sworn in as interim president. He asked Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi to start talks with all parties for a coalition government. Under the constitution, Mebazza has up to 60 days to hold new presidential elections. In the meantime, officials are trying to restore calm after nearly a month of civil unrest. "I call upon all men and women of Tunisia, from different political and intellectual affiliations, and from all sects and parties, to embrace a spirit of patriotism and unity to enable our country, which is dear to all of us, to get past this tough stage and restore its security and stability," Ghannouchi said in a televised address to the nation on Friday. Amid the chaos and confusion, however, many people on the street are excited about the change in leadership. "The events that took place today show that the Tunisian people are great," said Nabil Labbassi of the Tunisian League for Human Rights. Still, the situation remains fluid. Uncertainty prevails on the Tunisian street and the country remains in a state of emergency. On Friday evening, Tunisian army helicopters were heard flying in the capital sky in response to people's calls to rescue them and protect their properties. Many members of the former first lady's family were allegedly nabbed while trying to flee the country. Some properties owned by the Trabelsi family, including villas in the Gammarth suburb, a Carrefour store and a car company, were set on fire. |
| Posted by:Fred |