Saied hits back at Ghannouchi’s biased diplomacy

LONDON – Tunisian President Kais Saied said that Tunisia has only one president both nationally and internationally in a speech Saturday night to mark Eid Al-Fitr.

“Everyone must recognise that there is only one Tunisia and one president both nationally and internationally,” said Saied.

“Some people are nostalgic and dream of going backwards, others are concerned about their personal ambitions and some have become used to hypocrisy, lies and defamation. They are mentally ill,” he said

“Eid is not the best opportunity to respond to them. Those who prepare the ground for anarchy and light the fire will be the first to burn,” he added.

Saied’s strong statement was in reference to parliament speaker Rached Ghannouchi’s praise of the Ottoman Empire and congratulation of Libyan Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj’s Government of National Accord for capturing Al-Watiya military airbase from the Libyan National Army in Tripoli.

Ghannounchi was accused by his opponents of being a little too involved in foreign diplomacy, especially with Turkey which is backing Sarraj’s government and militias militarily.

Seven opposition parties denounced Ghannouchi’s interference in international conflicts and foreign affairs.

They called on Tunisian President to intervene and respond to the accusations that Tunisia was providing logistical support to Turkey in its military intervention in Libya.

“We could have responded to anyone who wanted to cause trouble, and our response would have been very strong, but we wanted to put ethics and moral values first,” said Saied.