Further unrest in town that sparked Arab Spring
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The leader of the Islamist party that won Tunisia's first free election appealed for calm yesterday in the town where the Arab Spring began – and accused forces linked to the ousted president of fanning violence there.
The Ennahda party, which was banned for decades and its leaders exiled abroad, will lead Tunisia's next government after an election victory likely to set a template for other Middle Eastern states rocked by uprisings this year. Party officials said that coalition talks were under way and that they expected to form a government within 10 days. Last Sunday's elections in the North African state were deemed free and fair by international observers.
But there was unrest yesterday in Sidi Bouzid, where 10 months ago a vegetable seller, Mohamed Bouazizi, set fire to himself in a protest that ignited revolts around the Arab world. Troops fired in the air to disperse a crowd that was attacking government offices.
Ennahda's leader, Rachid Ghannouchi, said the latest unrest was not linked directly to his party's win, but to the fact that a party headed by a businessman popular in the town – a former supporter of the ousted president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali – had been eliminated from the ballot over allegations of campaign finance violations. He blamed the clashes on forces connected to Mr Ben Ali.
Mr Ghannouchi also said that the adminstration would not impose a Muslim moral code and that women could have government jobs "whether they wear a veil or don't wear a veil".
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments