Tunisian Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi stated that he may quit and gives his duties to another one if the president Kais Saied appoints a new premier.
Mechichi released a statement on the latest developments in Tunisia on his social media account.
After today's heavy protests Kais Saied just sacked prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, froze the work of the parliament and stripped of immunity of the MP's. Although not clear if he can legally do so, a lot of positive reactions in the public sphere #Tunisia
— Mirco Keilberth (@MircoKeilberth) July 25, 2021
He said he will not play an obstructive role in complicating the situation in Tunisia.
Noting that he will not take a position because he protects the security and rights of all Tunisians, Mechichi said he will continue to serve his country under all circumstances.
On Sunday, President Kais Saied announced that he has suspended the powers of the Tunisian parliament as well as its deputies’ immunity, dismissed Prime Minister Mechichi and said he would assume executive powers with a premier he would appoint.
Saied also declared himself attorney general.
#WATCH#Tunisia president sacks government freezes parliament
— Middle East Monitor (@MiddleEastMnt) July 26, 2021
Tunisia's President has dismissed Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi and suspended parliament in what has been described as a 'coup'
READ: https://t.co/NDSt0G6iya pic.twitter.com/9HCKapP5aE
Soldiers barred Parliament Speaker Rached Ghannouchi and his deputies from entering parliament.
Since January, the country has been in a political deadlock amid a dispute between Saied and Mechichi over a government reshuffle that the former rejected.
The country is also facing an economic crisis and a surge in coronavirus infections amid warnings of a possible collapse of the health care system.
This article has been adapted from its original source.
