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Tunisian President's Suspension of Parliament Gets Mixed Reaction

Edward Yeranian

   CAIRO - Tunisia's Islamist al Nahda Party is calling President Kais
   Saied's suspension of parliament a "coup" and urging a broad
   "dialogue," while other political parties and leaders appear divided on
   his decision.

   A number of trade syndicates, including the Labor Federation, say they
   support the move so long as it does not last more than a month.

   Tunisian state TV reported that the situation inside the country was
   calm Tuesday following Saied's decision Sunday to suspend parliament.
   It said Tunisians were largely obeying a curfew that forbids more than
   three people from gathering in the streets during the night.

   Most government institutions, with the exception of security forces,
   interior ministry and customs, were also suspended for several days.
   The president met with political and trade union leaders to discuss his
   next move, amid calls by some for a well-defined "road-map."
   Tunisia's President Kais Saied, center, leads a security meeting with
   members of the army and police forces in Tunis, July 25, 2021.