Day: July 26, 2021

Several senior Turkish officials have condemned Tunisia’s president for seizing complete executive power after sacking the prime minister and suspending parliament.

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

In his speech, Saied said he will lift the immunity of all members of parliament and assume the role of public prosecutor. He said he has taken the decision after consulting Mechichi and Parliament Speaker Rached Ghannouchi.

”The suspension of the elected parliament and the dismissal of the government in Tunisia is worrisome. As Turkey, we have always been supporters of the democratic achievements of friendly and brotherly Tunisia,” Vice President Fuat Oktay said on Twitter, adding that Turkey’s support for democratic Tunisia will continue.

“What is happening in Tunisia is worrisome. Decisions prohibiting the elected parliament and MPs from fulfilling their duties is a coup against the constitutional order,” Turkey’s parliament speaker said on Twitter.

Mustafa Sentop added: “Military/bureaucratic coup is illegitimate in Tunisia like it is everywhere. People of Tunisia will hold on to constitutional order and the law.”

Presidential spokesman also rejected “the suspension of the democratic process and the ignoring of the democratic will of the people in Tunisia.”

“We condemn initiatives that lack constitutional legitimacy and public support. We believe that Tunisian democracy will emerge stronger from this process,” Ibrahim Kalin said on Twitter.

Communications Director Fahrettin Altun also condemned the move. “Turkey always stands with democracy and the people everywhere. We suffered greatly in the past, when power was not transferred through elections,” Altun said on Twitter.

“We are therefore concerned about the most recent developments in Tunisia and maintain that democracy must be restored without delay.”

Omer Celik, a spokesperson for Turkey’s Justice and Development (AK) Party, described the current developments in Tunisia as a “coup” targeting political legitimacy in the country.

Celik added that “Turkey stands by the Tunisian people and respects the struggle for democracy,” underlining President Recep Tayyip Erdogan’s support for democracy in the country.

Stressing that Turkey is against all coups, Numan Kurtulmus, the party’s deputy chairman, said: “We see that the coup in Tunisia will harm the Tunisian people. As Turkey, we are against this anti-democratic action all the way.”

“The suspension of the parliament and the dismissal of the government in Tunisia are worrisome for law and democracy,” Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul also tweeted.

“Described as a coup by the president of the Tunisian parliament; we condemn the attempts to suspend the parliament, dismiss the prime minister, and prevent the speaker of the parliament from entering the parliament by law enforcement officers, which are clearly against the law and the 80th article of the Tunisian Constitution,” Yasin Samli, head of Istanbul No. 2 Bar Association, said on Twitter.

In a separate statement, the bar association said “the president does not have the power to suspend parliamentary activities, even temporarily. Suspension of parliament is clearly against the Tunisian Constitution.”

It said that practices such as the prevention of the entry of parliament speaker to the assembly building are “worrisome.”

“We hope that the Tunisian people will protect the constitutional order and legal legitimacy,” it said, urging the international community to stand against these “coup-like actions.”

Tunisia has seen popular protests against both the government and the opposition, with attacks reported on headquarters and buildings of Ghannouchi’s moderate Islamist Ennahda party in several Tunisian provinces.

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 system.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Turkish security forces “neutralized” at least two PKK terrorists in the country’s southeast, the Interior Ministry announced on Monday.

The terrorists were neutralized in the southeastern Hakkari province as part of Operation Eren-14, an ongoing domestic anti-terror push.

The operation was carried out with local police and gendarmerie forces.

Turkish authorities use the word “neutralize” to imply the terrorists in question surrendered or were killed or captured.

Operations Eren, named after Eren Bulbul, a 15-year-old killed by the terrorist PKK on Aug. 11, 2017, began in January with the aim of completely eliminating terrorism in the country.

In its more than 35-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK – listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and EU – has been responsible for the deaths of at least 40,000 people, including women, children and infants.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Turkey on Monday said it is “deeply concerned” about the Tunisian president’s sacking of the country’s prime minister and suspension of the parliament that represents the “will of the people.”

“We have no doubt that the Tunisian people who have successfully passed many stages on the path to democracy, will overcome this challenge as well,” the country’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The statement underlined that the preservation of Tunisia’s “exceptional position” and democratic achievements, which “constitutes an exemplary success story in the region in terms of the democratic process carried out in accordance with the expectations of the people,” is of great importance for the region as well as Tunisia.

“In this regard, we hope that democratic legitimacy will be swiftly reinstated within the framework of the provisions of the Tunisian constitution,” it added.

Turkey will continue to stand by Tunisia and the “brotherly” Tunisian people, with whom it has strong historical ties, the ministry said.

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

Parliament Speaker Rached Ghannouchi described Saied’s actions as nothing but a “full-fledged coup” against the Tunisian constitution, revolution, and freedoms in the country.

Soldiers deployed at parliament prevented Ghannouchi and accompanying lawmakers from entering the building.

Tunisia has been gripped by a deep crisis since Jan. 16, when Mechichi announced a Cabinet reshuffle, but Saied refused to hold a ceremony to swear in the new ministers.

The country has also been facing an unprecedented spread of the COVID-19 strains in most states, causing a rapid spread of the virus.

Tunisia is seen as the only Arab country to successfully complete a democratic transition as other countries, such as Egypt, Libya, and Yemen, have all undergone popular uprisings that overturned ruling regimes.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Tunisian Parliament Speaker Rached Ghannouchi on Monday labeled decisions taken by President Kais Saied as a “coup”.

Tunisia’s president suspends parliament, assumes executive powers

Ex-Tunisian president condemns ‘coup’ as gov’t sacked

On Sunday, Saied dismissed the government, froze parliament, and assumed the executive authority with the assistance of a new prime minister.

“This is a coup against the revolution and the constitution,” Ghannouchi, the leader of the moderate Islamist Ennahda movement, said in a statement.

“The Tunisian people will defend the revolution,” he added.

Tunisia’s president suspends parliament, assumes executive powers❮❯

Tunisia’s president suspends parliament, assumes executive powers

Ghannouchi described Saied’s decisions as “wrong” and “will drag Tunisia and its people into darkness and one-man rule”.

He denied claims by the Tunisian president that he had consulted the parliament speaker before taking his decisions.

“President Saied only consulted me regarding taking emergency procedures, but he did not inform us of his decision in advance,” he said Sunday evening.

He stressed that he considers “the parliament in session and the government still standing”, going on to call on the parliament members “to remain steadfast and defend their legitimacy in the face of the invalid measures taken by the head of state.”

Ghannouchi went on to call on the Secretary-General of the Tunisian General Labour Union (UGTT), Noureddine Taboubi, “to restore democracy,” and called on the rest of the national organizations “to defend legitimacy.”

The Ennahda leader said that he is in permanent contact with Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi following Sunday’s decisions by the Tunisian president.

In Sunday’s speech, Saied said he will lift the immunity of all members of parliament and assume the role of the public prosecutor. He said he has taken these decisions after consulting Mechichi and Ghannouchi.

Tunisia has seen popular protests against both the government and the opposition in recent weeks, amid a months-long political crisis in the North African country.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The Turkish parliament speaker on Monday arrived in Azerbaijan to attend a meeting with the heads of parliaments of Azerbaijan and Pakistan.

Mustafa Sentop, accompanied by a delegation, flew to Baku from Istanbul. Asad Kaiser, speaker of Pakistan’s National Assembly, the lower house of parliament, also joined Sentop.

During the meeting scheduled for Tuesday, a signing ceremony will be held to ink the Baku Declaration.

Before the meeting, Sentop and other parliament speakers will be received by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

Sentop is also expected to participate in the wreath-laying ceremony at late Azerbaijani President Heydar Aliyev’s Mausoleum and Alley of Martyrs. He will also pay a visit to the Baku Turkish Martyrs’ Cemetery.

He is also set to meet with Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov on Wednesday.

Sentop, who will receive representatives of non-governmental organizations and Turkish businesspeople, will return to Turkey on Thursday after visiting the cities of Shusha and Fuzuli, which were liberated last year from Armenia’s nearly three-decade occupation.*Writing by Jeyhun Aliyev from Ankara

Source: Anadolu Agency

Turkey has administered nearly 67.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines since it launched a mass vaccination campaign in January, according to figures released on Monday.

The country continues its intensive vaccination campaign to curb the virus’ spread, as everyone 18 and over is eligible for vaccine shots.

According to Health Ministry data, nearly 39.75 million people have gotten their first dose, while over 23.5 million have received their second jabs as well.

Meanwhile, over 1.32 million vaccine doses have been administered in the last 24 hours, the figures showed.

To date, 64% of the adult population has received at least one vaccine dose.

The ministry also confirmed 16,809 new infections and 63 coronavirus-related deaths in the last 24 hours, while as many as 5,585 more patients recovered.

Amid a nationwide drop in cases and an expedited vaccination drive, Turkey entered a new normalization phase on July 1, lifting almost all virus-related restrictions.

However, seeking to limit the spread of the virus’ Delta variant, the country suspended flights from India, and required arrivals from the UK, Iran, Egypt, and Singapore to have negative COVID-19 test results taken within 72 hours prior.

Since December 2019, the pandemic has claimed over 4.16 million lives in 192 countries and regions, with more than 194.36 million cases reported, according to the US’ Johns Hopkins University.

Source: Anadolu Agency

The Heart of Tunisia party on Monday denounced the dismissal of the Tunisian government and suspension of parliament by President Kais Saied as a “grave breach” of the constitution.

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

“The decisions taken by President Saied are a grave breach of the constitution,” the party’s parliamentary bloc said in a statement.

The party, which has 29 seats in the 217-member parliament, warned that Saied’s moves risk dragging Tunisia to the era of “one-man rule.”

The party reiterated its commitment to the rule of law and institutions, adding that it “respects electoral legitimacy and rejects any decision that contradicts its institutional outcomes.” It went on to call on all parties to address the “legitimate demands” of Tunisians and avoid “false political battles.”

The party called on the parliament to convene immediately and the prime minister “to assume his legitimate duties and to avoid creating a vacuum”, while urging the country’s security apparatus to “protect the state and its institutions, the values and principles of the republic, and ensure the security of the people.”

On Sunday, Parliament Speaker Rached Ghannouchi described Saied’s moves as nothing but a “full-fledged coup” against the Tunisian constitution, revolution, and freedoms in the country.

Soldiers deployed at parliament prevented Ghannouchi and accompanying lawmakers from entering the building.

Tunisia has been gripped by a deep crisis since Jan. 16, when Mechichi announced a cabinet reshuffle but Saied refused to hold a ceremony to swear in the new ministers. Tunisia also faces an unprecedented spread of the COVID-19 strains in most states, causing a rapid spread of the virus.

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

Source: Anadolu Agency

Australian swimmer Ariarne Titmus on Monday won an Olympic gold medal in the Tokyo 2020 women’s 400-meter freestyle final to set the Oceanian record.

Titmus, 20, was the victor in the women’s 400-meter freestyle final with 3.56.69, held in the Tokyo Aquatics Centre.

An Olympic champion, Kathleen Ledecky from the US, came second in the final with 3.57.36 to win the silver medal.

Bingjie Li of China bagged the bronze medal to break the Asian record with a degree of 4.01.08 in Tokyo.

Meanwhile, Canadian swimmer Margaret Macneil won the gold medal in the women’s 100-meter butterfly final, ending it in 55.59 seconds to set Americas record.

Yufei Zhang from China won a silver medal with 55.64 and Australian swimmer Emma McKeon came third with 55.72 seconds to break the Oceanian record.

McKeon had the bronze medal.

Separately, British swimmer Adam Peaty earned a gold medal in the men’s 100-meter breaststroke final.

A world and Olympic record holder, Peaty, 26, was in the first position in the final with 57.37.

Arno Kamminga of the Netherlands came second with 58 seconds to win a silver medal. Italy’s Nicolo Martinenghi was in the third position with 58.33 seconds to be awarded bronze.

Also, the US won the men’s 4×100-meter freestyle relay final to have gold in this category. They have done with 3.08.97.

The Italian team won silver, ending the race with 3.10.11. Italy were 1.14 seconds behind the US.

Australia had bronze with 3.10.22.

Source: Anadolu Agency

Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu on Monday met his Togolese counterpart Robert Dussey in the Turkish capital Ankara to discuss a range of issues.

“I am happy to host my friend Robert Dussey in our country for the second time this year,” Cavusoglu tweeted. “We discussed international and regional issues and our developing bilateral relations.” Dussey last visited Turkey in June.

Dussey said he had a “fruitful meeting” with Cavusoglu. “We exchanged our points of view regarding international and regional issues. We are both very satisfied ofthe level of our bilateral cooperation,” he said in a tweet.

Turkey and Togo enjoy good bilateral relations, and their bilateral trade, which was $106 million in 2019, is rising.

Regular high-level contacts are held and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency (TIKA) is also active in Togo.

Since 1992, many Togolese students have benefited from Turkish scholarships.

Source: Anadolu Agency