Tunisia’s president fires ambassador to US, governor of Sfax

No explanation given for fresh wave of dismissals by President Kais Saied who has been ruling by decree since late July.

President Kais Saied has fired Tunisia’s ambassador to the United States and the governor of a key province, the latest dismissals since he provoked a political crisis last month when he assumed all executive power. In a series of shock moves on July 25, Saied fired the prime minister and suspended parliament for 30 days. He also began ruling by decree, went on to dismiss several officials and announced a crackdown against corruption. On Tuesday, state media  announced the sacking of Ambassador Nejmeddine Lakhal, without citing an explanation for the move. The governor of the eastern Sfax province was also dismissed.