US urges Tunisia’s Saied to return swiftly to ‘democratic path’

In a phone call with Tunisian president, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan underscored the need for ‘rapidly forming a new government’, White House says.

US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has urged Tunisian President Kais Saied to outline a swift return to the “democratic path”, days after his shock seizure of governing powers, the White House said. On July 25, Saied invoked a national emergency over the coronavirus pandemic and poor governance to dismiss Prime Minister Hichem Mechichi, freeze parliament for 30 days and seize executive control. The move plunged Tunisia into political turmoil and was initially denounced as a coup by the main parties, including the largest parliamentary political bloc, Ennahdha – an allegation that Saied denied. In an hour-long call on Saturday, Sullivan underscored to Saied the need for “rapidly forming a new government, led by a capable prime minister to stabilise Tunisia’s economy and confront the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as ensuring the timely return of the elected parliament”, the White House National Security Council said in a statement.