First Independent Mena Newspaper
As Tunisia’s President Beji Caid Essebsi continues consultations about the formation of a unity government, the Tunisian Premier has excluded stepping down; explaining that replacing his cabinet at this critical time will be a “setback” to efforts achieved to face the country’s numerous challenges. “The current stage requires keeping in place the cabinet that will […]
The European Parliament on Wednesday approved a plan to lend Tunisia €500 million on favorable terms to help it reduce its external debt and consolidate its democratic mechanisms. The plan was backed by 561 votes to 76, with 42 abstentions. Rapporteur of the debate Marielle De Sarnez (ALDE,FR) emphasized that it is “a loan which […]
The United States and the European Union Tuesday pondered over future strategies to see how they can both further help Tunisia face up economic and security challenges dogging its nascent democracy. A forum organized by the Atlantic Council Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East was chosen as a platform for discussions. The topic, “A […]
Tunisian security forces last week nabbed six terrorists at Monastir international airport as they were traveling on fake Libyan passports. Tunisia has been struggling with militancy since the 2011 revolution which ousted former President Ben Ali. The North African country was hit last year by three major terrorist attacks perpetrated by Islamic State fighters who, […]
Tunisian ambassador to London Nabil Ammar has called on British government to ease its tourist travel restrictions imposed on his country since last year after 30 Britons were killed in a terror attack targeting foreign tourists. Isis claimed responsibility for the attack, which led the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) to advice against all but […]
The Speaker of the Tunisian parliament, Mohammed Ennaceur, denied reports that Tunis has approved the deployment of a military base in the country after it was designated as a major non-NATO ally of the US by President Obama. Speaking to Russia Today, Ennaceur claimed the reports are “not true” because “there are no such plans.” […]
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has approved a $2.9 billion Extended Fund Facility (EFF) for Tunisia to help the country carry out its economic and financial reform program. This program aims at promoting stronger and more inclusive growth by consolidating macroeconomic stability, reforming public institutions, facilitating financial intermediation and improving the business climate. According to […]
The Tunisian Interior Ministry Tuesday announced security forces found a cache of weapons and ammunition in the town of Ben Guerdane, lying at the border with neighboring Libya. The cache included 29 Kalashnikov, 3 RPG rocket launchers and 130 machine guns, the ministry said in a statement. The security forces also found boxes for 9,520 […]
Rachid Ghannouchi, who has been reelected Monday as the leader of Ennahda party with a comfortable 800 of the 1058 votes, said the party is taking a new turn, alluding to the end of political Islam. “From today, we are seriously moving towards becoming a national and civil political party with an Islamic core, which […]
Canada Saturday launched a $4 million security partnership with Tunisia to help the North African country address the growing terrorism threat, which has utterly crashed its economy. Visiting Canadian Foreign Minister Stephane Dion told reporters in Tunis that Canada would not let Tunisia fall into decay due terrorism after it chose the path of democracy […]