Qatari emir emphasizes 'need to overcome political crisis' in Tunisia

By Ibrahim El-Khazen

DOHA (AA) - Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Wednesday emphasized the need to “overcome the current political crisis in Tunisia."

This came during a phone call between Al Thani and Tunisian President Kais Saied, days after Tunisian presidential decrees suspended the parliament and gave the president the executive authority.

The Qatari emir also expressed necessity for all parties to adopt a path of dialogue, according to a statement by the Qatari Emiri Court.

Saied, for his part, expressed his "appreciation" for Qatar's stance in support of the aspirations of the Tunisian people and its continued support for his country, the statement said.

On Sunday, the Tunisian president dismissed the government of Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, froze parliament and assumed executive authority with the assistance of a new prime minister.

The move was rejected by most of Tunisia’s parliamentary blocs, including Ennahda, Heart of Tunisia, the Dignity Coalition and the People's Movement.

Ennahda leader and Parliament Speaker Rached Ghannouchi decried Saied’s move as nothing but a "full-fledged coup" against the Tunisian constitution, revolution and freedoms in the country.

Tunisia is seen as the only country that succeeded in carrying out a democratic transition among a group of Arab countries that witnessed popular revolutions which toppled their ruling regimes, including Egypt, Libya and Yemen.​​​​​​​