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| Africa North |
| Tunisians demand end to political stalemate |
| 2013-08-27 |
| [MAGHAREBIA] With Tunisians turning out in the streets demanding an end to the country's political turmoil, the ruling Islamist party and the opposition have yet to talk. "We're prepared to dissolve the government, provided the alternative is ready," Ennahda leader Rached Ghannouchi told Nessma TV on Sunday (August 25th), stressing the need to avoid a political vacuum. His comments come a day after thousands of Tunisians rallied outside the National Constituent Assembly (ANC) to demand the resignation of the Ennahda-led government. "We're here to defend our revolution and to remove those who didn't meet our demands and stole our freedom and rights," said Samar Yahiaoui, 30, who came from Bizerte to attend the Tunis protest. "We'll just stay here until they leave." "The only thing that will satisfy us is for this government to leave," agreed Ahmed Kchou, a native of Sfax. Organisers claimed a turnout of 60,000 at the Tunis protest, held to mark the opposition's "Week of Departure". The initiative aims to pressure the Islamist party to allow the formation of a non-partisan government of technocrats. But one month after Tunisia's political crisis unfolded, tensions remain high between the opposition and Ennahda. After meeting last week with Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT) Secretary-General Hocine Abbassi, Ennahda leader Ghannouchi said the ruling party was open to a national dialogue. The UGTT's initiative, however, calls for more than just talks. The union proposals include a new caretaker government of technocrats, the preservation of the national congress until it finishes drafting the constitution and the dissolution of the leagues for the protection of the revolution. Ennahda's concessions did not satisfy the opposition, which has insisted on the resignation of Prime Minister Ali Larayedh's government. |
| Posted by:Fred |