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Child among 8 killed in Syria clashes: monitor
The fighting pitted the army of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad against Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group led by Al-Qaeda's former Syria branch. The Britain-based war monitor, which has a network of sources inside Syria, said the bombardments struck a bakery, a mosque, a power plant and a popular market.
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Tunisia records low turnout in vote for new chamber
More than 260 prominent Tunisian figures had signed a petition against what they called a "useless" election, saying Saied's government "continues to implement its political project imposed on" people in the country. They alleged the aim of the election was to "weaken local power, disperse it, and make it another... -
Tunisian opposition leader to spend more time behind bars
Tunis, Tunisia - The leader of Tunisian opposition party Ennahdha, Rached Ghannouchi, 82, had his jail sentence on terrorism-related charges raised to 15 months on appeal, his party said in a statement on Tuesday. An earlier ruling in May had sentenced Ghannouchi to 12 months in jail with the same fine... -
Tunisia footballer dies after setting himself alight in anti-state protest
Tunis, Tunisia -- A professional footballer in Tunisia has died after setting himself alight earlier this week in what he said was a protest against the "police state" ruling the country, his brother said Friday. Nizar Issaoui, 35, suffered third-degree burns from his action in the village of Haffouz in the... -
Tunisia swears in new defanged parliament
State television broadcast the proceedings and only official media were permitted to cover the session, with representatives of Tunisia's private press and foreign journalists denied access, according to an AFP correspondent. "What is happening is dangerous and reflects the authorities' unjustified distrust of the media," Amira Mohamed, deputy head of... -
Tunisia President moves to dissolve elected municipal councils
The councils were seen as a key democratic gain after the 2011 revolt that sparked the Arab Spring. Saied sacked the government in a 2021 power grab, and has since scrapped the post-revolution constitution, neutered parliament and seized far-reaching executive powers. -
Tunisians defy protest ban, rally to demand release of Saied critics
Denouncing Saied's power grab as a "coup", the protesters defied a ban on demonstrations imposed by Tunis authorities. Initially dozens gathered by a key bus and tramway station in central Tunis before charging police barricades to then march towards Habib Bourguiba Avenue, where the crowd soon swelled to more than... -
Jordan Senate Chairman, French senate vice-president discuss bilateral ties
AMMAN, JORDAN - Chairman of the Jordan Senate's Committee for Arab, International Affairs and Expatriates Hani Mulki, on Sunday discussed with Vice President of French Senate, Helene Conway, the region's key political and economic developments. The two leaders also discussed political changes in the surrounding countries following Arab Spring. Mulki,... -
Tunisians stay away from election for new parliament
Tunis, Tunisia--Tunisians on Saturday overwhelmingly boycotted an election for a new parliament which will have virtually no authority following a power grab by President Kais Saied in the birthplace of the Arab Spring. Electoral board president Farouk Bouasker said that by close of polls at 6:00 pm (1700 GMT), just... -
Hundreds join march of hunger striker’s sister at COP27
Demonstrations at COP27 must be approved by organizing authorities and should take place only in a special zone, activists behind Saturday's rally said they got UN permission for their action outside the designated area. -
Arab democratization slides further in 2021
Tunisia, the only democracy to remain a democracy after the Arab Spring, may turn authoritarian if a draft constitution published recently is approved. -
Tunisia’s opposition alliance to boycott December elections
Tunisia's main opposition alliance said Wednesday its members including the once-powerful Ennahdha party would boycott December polls to replace a parliament dissolved by President Kais Saied. The vote is set for nearly a year and a half after Saied suspended the Ennahdha-dominated assembly and sacked the government, later pushing through... -
Tunisia to vote on constitution seen as threat to democracy
Tunisians will vote Monday on a constitution that would give President Kais Saied almost unchecked powers, a key moment in his plan to overhaul the political system in the birthplace of the Arab Spring. The referendum takes place a year to the day after Saied sacked the government and suspended... -
Opposition leader in Tunisia faces probe over terror charges
The leader of Tunisia's opposition party Ennahdha arrived Tuesday for questioning by an investigating judge at an anti-terror center, just days before a hotly contested constitutional referendum. -
Major Tunisia party urges boycott of constitution vote
Tunisia's Ennahdha party urged its supporters on Thursday to boycott a July 25 referendum on President Kais Saied's new constitution, saying it would lead to a repressive, authoritarian regime. "We call for a boycott of the referendum because what is being voted on is not in the interests of Tunisians,"... -
Tunisia president decrees he will name electoral chief
The election commission, created in 2012, has currently nine members with its president appointed by parliament. -
France ‘concerned’ as Tunisia’s president extends powers
Last year, the Tunisian president sacked the government, suspended parliament, and seized a range of powers. -
Tunisia president dissolves top judicial watchdog
Kais Saied has concentrated all executive power since July 25, when he dismissed his Prime Minister and suspended parliament. -
Over 50,000 joined consult ahead of new constitution in Tunisia
The consultation will last until March 20 with topics including politics, economics, finance, social, health, education, and cultural affairs. -
Tunisia protests on revolution anniversary as economy spirals
Many Tunisians are tired of a system that is seen as graft-ridden and ineffective, and have welcomed the protests. -
Tunisia’s president announces constitutional referendum
Kais Saied presented a roadmap for restoring democratic institutions, and announced a nationwide public consultation from January 1 until March 20. -
Tunisia most democratic among countries roiled by Arab Spring
Tunisia, where the government of former president Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was overthrown in 2011, scored 6.59 out of ten in the 2020 Democracy index -
10 years since Kadhafi death, stability still eludes Libya
A year-long ceasefire and a UN-led peace process have barely papered over deep divisions, and upcoming elections are unlikely to resolve the crisis. -
Tunisia’s president to amend constitution, form new government
The power grab came amid chronic legislative infighting that had crippled governance -
Morocco polls: ‘New model of development’ in focus
King Mohammed VI will name a prime minister from the party that leads the parliamentary poll to govern for the next five years -
Fear, acceptance mix in cradle of Tunisian revolution
Sidi Bouzid’s suicide sparked an unprecedented uprising that left some 300 people dead and toppled long-time dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali