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| Africa North |
| Leading Tunisian opposition politician killed |
| 2013-02-06 |
| Shokri Belaid, leader of the left-leaning opposition Democratic Patriots party, has been killed as he was leaving his home. He was transported to a hospital in the suburbs of Tunis on Wednesday, where he died of his wounds, his brother confirmed. Belaid had been critical of Tunisia's leadership, especially the Islamic party Ennahda that dominates the government. He had accused authorities of not doing enough to stop violence by ultraconservatives who have targeted mausoleums, art exhibits and other things seen as out of keeping with their strict interpretation of Islam. Tunisian President Moncef Marzouki said he would fight those who opposed the political transition in his country after the death of Belaid. Marzouki, who cut short a visit to France on Wednesday, told lawmakers at the European Parliament in Strasbourg to applause: "We will continue to fight the enemies of the revolution." Marzouki also cancelled a visit to Egypt scheduled for Thursday after the killing, which brought thousands of protesters onto the streets outside the Interior Ministry. Government spokesperson Samir Dilou called it an "odious crime". France condemned the murder of Belaid, describing him as a courageous fighter for human rights. Al Jazeera's Youssef Gaigi, reporting from Tunis, said the murder came as a shock for many in Tunisia. Ziad Lakhader, a leader of the Popular Front, the umbrella organisation of the Democratic Patriots, said Belaid was killed by bullets to the head and chest. Crowds of mourners, chanting "the people want the fall of the regime", crowded around an ambulance carrying Belaid's body. Police clashed with protesters outside Tunisia's interior ministry where thousands had gathered, as hundreds of mourners accompanied an ambulance carrying the body of a slain opposition leader. Protesters threw rocks at the police who responded by firing tear gas and using batons in a bid to disperse the crowd on Habib Bourguiba Avenue, in central Tunis, an AFP journalist reported. The killing comes as Tunisia is struggling to maintain stability and revive its economy after its longtime dictator was overthrown in an uprising two years ago. That revolution set off revolts across the Arab world and unleashed new social and religious tensions. |
| Posted by:Pappy |