Tunisia’s Saied will not ‘turn into a dictator’ after MPs’ arrest

President Saied rejects accusations he staged a coup, as two members of parliament arrested on Friday.

Tunisia’s president has said he would not turn into a dictator as two MPs were arrested on Friday following his decision to lift their immunity when he seized control of the government this week. Tunisia has been thrust into a political crisis by President Kais Saied’s move on Sunday to dismiss the prime minister and suspend parliament for 30 days, leading main parties to accuse him of a coup. Saied has yet to carry out steps that critics say are needed to reassure Tunisians, including the appointment of an interim prime minister and a road map to end the emergency measures.