Saudi Arabia affirms its support for security and stability of Tunisia

Saudi Arabia has affirmed its confidence in the Tunisian leadership in overcoming the current conditions and supports its work to achieve a decent and prosperous life for the Tunisian people, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement on Tuesday.

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“Saudi Arabia calls on the international community to stand besides Tunisia in these circumstances to face its health and economic challenges. The Kingdom respects everything related to Tunisian internal affairs and considers it a sovereign matter,” the statement added.

On Sunday, Tunisian President Kais Saied announced the suspension of the country’s Parliament and immunity of all deputies and sacked Prime Minister Hicham Mechichi following a series of mass protests across Tunisia.

In a speech broadcast after the sacking, Saied called military and security officers for an emergency meeting at Carthage Palace, and announced his plan to take over the executive authority with the help of a new prime minister.

The President then based his actions on Article 80 of the country’s constitution, stating that it allowed him to take such measures in specific situations, the pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat reported at the time.

On Monday, Saied said that his decisions ere an implementation of the text of the constitution and not a coup attempt as described by his political rivals, according to a video posted by the president.

Saied ordered on Monday a curfew to prohibit the movement of people and vehicles from 7 pm until 6 am, starting Monday until Friday, August 27, with the exception of urgent health cases and night workers. The presidential order also banned gatherings of more than three people on public roads or in public squares during the day.

Read more:

What is Article 80 and how did Tunisia’s president use it to back his decisions?

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