Tunisia voting ends as Saied eyes re-election with critics behind bars

This handout picture released by Tunisia's Presidency shows Tunisia's First Lady Ichraf Saied registering to vote at a polling station during the 2024 presidential elections in Tunis on October 6, 2024. (AFP)
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This handout picture released by Tunisia's Presidency shows Tunisia's First Lady Ichraf Saied registering to vote at a polling station during the 2024 presidential elections in Tunis on October 6, 2024. (AFP)
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Updated 06 October 2024
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Tunisia voting ends as Saied eyes re-election with critics behind bars

Tunisia voting ends as Saied eyes re-election with critics behind bars
  • Three years after a sweeping power grab by Saied, the election is seen as a closing chapter in Tunisia’s experiment with democracy
  • After rising to power in a landslide in 2019, Saied, now 66, led a sweeping power grab that saw him rewrite the constitution

TUNIS: Polls closed Sunday night in Tunisia after voting in a presidential election expected to see incumbent Kais Saied secure another five years in office while his main critics — including one contender — are behind bars.

Three years after Saied staged a sweeping power grab, rights group fear re-election will only further entrench his rule in the country which became the only democracy to emerge from the Arab Spring uprisings.

With the ouster of longtime dictator Zine El Abidine Ben Ali in 2011, Tunisia prided itself on being the birthplace of those regional revolts against authoritarianism.

But the north African country’s path changed dramatically soon after Saied’s democratic election in 2019.

The power grab by Saied, 66, saw him rewrite the constitution and crack down on dissent, sparking criticism at home and abroad.

In a speech on Thursday, Saied called for a “massive turnout to vote” and usher in what he called an era of “reconstruction.”

The Tunisian electoral board, ISIE, has said about 9.7 million people were eligible to vote, in a country whose population is around 12 million.

By 1:00 p.m. — five hours before the 5,000 polling station closed — only 14 percent of voters had cast ballots, ISIE said.

The board’s spokesman Mohamed Tlili Mansri later said it was expecting around 30 percent turnout. That is roughly the same proportion of people who turned out in 2022 for a widely boycotted referendum on the new constitution.

“I came to support Kais Saied,” 69-year-old Nouri Masmoudi said in the morning. “My whole family is going to vote for him.”

Hosni Abidi, 40, said he feared electoral fraud.

“I don’t want people to choose for me,” he said. “I want to check the box for my candidate myself.”

Tunisia’s electoral board said ahead of the ballot that it would not allow two local independent watchdogs to monitor the vote.

By midday in Bab Jedid, a working-class neighborhood, there were few voters, and most were elderly men.

Saied cast his vote alongside his wife in the affluent Ennasr neighborhood, north of Tunis, in the morning.

New York-based Human Rights Watch has said more than “170 people are detained in Tunisia on political grounds or for exercising their fundamental rights.”

Jailed opposition figures include Rached Ghannouchi, head of the Islamist-inspired opposition party Ennahdha, which dominated political life after the revolution.

Also detained is Abir Moussi, head of the Free Destourian Party, which critics accuse of wanting to bring back the regime that was ousted in 2011.

Heavily indebted Tunisia is grappling with weak economic growth, high inflation and unemployment that has led many Tunisians to join mostly sub-Saharan African migrants that use the country as a jumping-off point to Europe.

“Many fear that a new mandate for Saied will only deepen the country’s socio-economic woes, as well as hasten the regime’s authoritarian drift,” the International Crisis Group think tank said.

Yet, voters were presented with almost no alternative to Saied. ISIE barred 14 hopefuls from standing in the race, citing technicalities.

Wajd Harrar, a 22-year-old student, said that in 2019, while she was too young to vote, “people had chosen a bad president.”

This time, she said, “I have the right to vote and I will give my vote to the least bad candidate.”

Mohamed Aziz, 21, said he was “motivated by the elections because choosing the right person for the next five years is important.”

On Friday, hundreds of people protested in the capital, some holding signs denouncing Saied as a “Pharaoh manipulating the law.”

Standing against him Sunday were former lawmaker Zouhair Maghzaoui, 59, who backed Saied’s power grab in 2021, and Ayachi Zammel, 47, a little-known businessman who has been in jail since his bid was approved by ISIE last month.

Zammel currently faces more than 14 years in prison on accusations of having forged endorsement signatures to enable him to stand in the election.

Voting in Marsa, north of Tunis, Maghzaoui called on Tunisians to “vote in large numbers.”

On Thursday Saied cited “a long war against conspiratorial forces linked to foreign circles,” accusing them of “infiltrating many public services and disrupting hundreds of projects” under his tenure.

Crisis Group said that while Saied “enjoys significant support among the working classes, he has been criticized for failing to resolve the country’s deep economic crisis.”

The electoral board has said preliminary results should come no later than Wednesday.

 

 


Arab nations call for peace, renewal of Arab Peace Initiative on final day of UN 2-state solution conference

Arab nations call for peace, renewal of Arab Peace Initiative on final day of UN 2-state solution conference
Updated 31 July 2025
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Arab nations call for peace, renewal of Arab Peace Initiative on final day of UN 2-state solution conference

Arab nations call for peace, renewal of Arab Peace Initiative on final day of UN 2-state solution conference
  • Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit decries ‘high price we are all paying for the system of apartheid and occupation to remain’ in Gaza, and says for Palestinians it is ‘a price paid in blood’
  • Omani representative accuses Israel of unilaterally ‘eroding’ prospects for peace in ‘defiance of the provisions of international law and resolutions of international legitimacy’

Arab nations issued a unified call to end the violence in Gaza and the West Bank on Wednesday, reiterating their strongest endorsement yet of the Arab Peace Initiative as the only viable framework for regional peace and stability.

“What we’re seeing today in Gaza, the withdrawal of stability and security in the region, is indeed the outcome of the ongoing occupation,” said a representative of the Arab League, delivering a statement on behalf of the organization’s secretary-general, Ahmed Aboul Gheit.

“This is the price being paid by Palestinians, a price paid in blood.”

He described the toll as “an extremely high price that we are all paying for the system of apartheid and occupation to remain on this land,” adding that the League remains committed to the Arab Peace Initiative, which was initially adopted in Beirut, 23 years ago.

“This vision hasn’t, however, been reciprocated. Rather, it has been countered by arrogance and nationalism based on religious sectarian views that will lead the region to an unknown future,” he said.

The comments came at the conclusion of the “High-Level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution” at the UN headquarters in New York.

Oman echoed the sentiment, with its representative reaffirming that “comprehensive and lasting peace” must be grounded in the framework of international law, as outlined in the Arab Peace Initiative.

In a position similar to that adopted by other nations during the conference, the Omani representative accused Israel of unilaterally “eroding” the prospects for peace, in what he described as “defiance of the provisions of international law and resolutions of international legitimacy.”

He continued: “The nature of the current Israeli government’s policies, as the most extreme in decades, further complicates the landscape and directly hampers all effort to relaunch the peace process.”

The Gulf Cooperation Council reiterated its position of support for a two-state solution to the decades-long conflict between Israelis and Palestinians, condemned the continuing Israeli aggression against Gaza, and demanded that it end.

The council’s representative said it also rejected Israeli settlement policies as a blatant violation, and called for full humanitarian access in Gaza and reconstruction of the territory to begin.

“True greatness is not based on power but on the ability to use power to serve justice,” he added. “It is time to turn this principle into (a) clear international position that recognizes (a) fully independent Palestinian state.”

The representative for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation joined the others in advocating for a two-state solution, and stressed the need for Israeli authorities to act in accordance with UN resolutions.

Israel is guilty of “systemic crimes including aggression, genocide, destruction, displacement, starvation and blockade on the Gaza Strip,” he added, in addition to “illegal policies of settlement expansion, annexation and ethnic cleansing.”

Moreover, Israel’s intention “to impose its so-called sovereignty over the West Bank, including the occupied city of Jerusalem … constitutes flagrant violations of international law and the relevant UN resolutions,” the representative said as he called for an end to all such actions.

The calls came as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that the conflict in Gaza has reached “breaking point.” International pressure for a ceasefire agreement continues to mount but Israel has resisted calls to halt its military operations, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly moving ahead with plans to annex parts of Gaza if Hamas rejects a truce.

On Wednesday, sources said Israel had turned down the latest ceasefire proposal, citing its refusal to withdraw forces from key areas of the territory.

Israel’s ambassador to the UN, Danny Danon, described this week’s UN conference as “a political circus” against Israel.

“We’re seeing a detachment from reality, the spread of lies, and support for terrorism,” he wrote in a message posted on social media platform X.

The US special envoy to the Middle East, Steven Witkoff, was expected to arrive in Tel Aviv on Thursday for talks with Israeli officials. His visit comes as the UN-backed Integrated Food Security Phase Classification warns that the “worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out” in Gaza.

Iran’s representative at the UN also spoke on the final day of the conference, condemning a “policy of appeasement” from the international community toward Israel, and calling for concrete action.

“In light of its continued defiance of the UN Charter, the Israeli regime must face targeted sanctions and suspension of its UN membership to protect the integrity and credibility of the organization,” the he said.

He further urged member states to press the Security Council to admit Palestine as a full member of the UN and insisted that “this process must not be obstructed by the United States.” Palestine currently has observer status at the UN.

A follow-up summit to this week’s conference is planned to take place during the UN General Assembly in September.


UN expert on torture demands end to ‘lethal, inhumane, degrading’ starvation of civilians in Gaza

UN expert on torture demands end to ‘lethal, inhumane, degrading’ starvation of civilians in Gaza
Updated 30 July 2025
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UN expert on torture demands end to ‘lethal, inhumane, degrading’ starvation of civilians in Gaza

UN expert on torture demands end to ‘lethal, inhumane, degrading’ starvation of civilians in Gaza
  • Alice Jill Edwards says prolonged calorie deprivation is causing malnutrition, organ failure and death, particularly among vulnerable groups such as infants and pregnant women
  • ‘Constantly changing rules, militarized distributions, and daily and hourly uncertainty about when one is going to access these basic necessities is causing utter despair, stress and trauma’

NEW YORK CITY: The UN’s special rapporteur on torture, Alice Jill Edwards, on Wednesday expressed grave concern over the growing number of starvation-related deaths among Palestinians in Gaza.

She described the starving of civilians as ‘lethal, inhumane and degrading,’ and called for the rapid and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to the battered enclave.

“Depriving people of food, water and dignity has been a serious and recurring violation of this war and it must end,” she said, citing “shocking” reports of people being killed while queuing for food, as well as widespread hunger and malnutrition.

The risk of all-out famine in Gaza is escalating, she added, stressing that all parties to the conflict have legal obligations under international law to ensure civilians under their control have access to food and water, and to facilitate humanitarian operations.

“They must not steal, divert or willfully impede the distribution of aid,” Edwards said.

She detailed the “catastrophic physiological consequences” of prolonged calorie deprivation, including malnutrition, organ failure and death, particularly among vulnerable groups such as infants and pregnant women.

“The psychological impact of being deprived of food and water is inherently cruel,” she added.

“Constantly changing rules, militarized distributions and daily and hourly uncertainty about when one is going to access these basic necessities is causing utter despair, stress and trauma.”

She welcomed a recent announcement by Israel of humanitarian pauses in military operations to allow the World Food Programme to deliver aid throughout Gaza over a planned three-month period, but said “more must be done” to end the hostilities and establish long-term peace based on a two-state solution.

“No one should have to suffer the humiliation of being forced to beg for food, and especially not when there are ample supplies waiting to be provided,” she said.

Edwards also reiterated her call for the unconditional and immediate release of all hostages, the release of arbitrarily detained Palestinians, and for independent investigations into allegations of torture, ill-treatment and other potential war crimes by all parties.

She said she has raised her concerns repeatedly with relevant authorities and continues to press for full accountability.

Special rapporteurs are part of what is known as the special procedures of the UN Human Rights Council. They are independent experts who work on a voluntary basis, are not members of UN staff and are not paid for their work.


Iraqi authorities smash drug-smuggling ring in Damascus and seize 1.3m captagon capsules

Iraqi authorities smash drug-smuggling ring in Damascus and seize 1.3m captagon capsules
Updated 30 July 2025
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Iraqi authorities smash drug-smuggling ring in Damascus and seize 1.3m captagon capsules

Iraqi authorities smash drug-smuggling ring in Damascus and seize 1.3m captagon capsules
  • The haul, worth millions of dollars on the street, was recovered during a special operation carried out in collaboration with Syrian counterparts

LONDON: Iraqi authorities said that they have dismantled a criminal network in the Syrian capital Damascus involved in international drug trafficking.

The Iraqi Interior Ministry’s General Directorate of Drug Affairs revealed that officers seized more than 1.3 million capsules of captagon, an amphetamine-type stimulant, during a special operation carried out in collaboration with their Syrian counterparts. The haul weighed about 215 kilograms and had a street value of millions of dollars.

Because the operation took place outside of Iraq, approval was obtained from the Rusafa Central Investigative Court in Baghdad. It was carried out under the supervision of Iraq’s prime minister, Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani, and its interior minister, Abdul Amir Al-Shammari.

The ministry said the operation was the result of thorough intelligence efforts and information from reliable sources, obtained in collaboration with the Syrian Anti-Narcotics Department.

It represented a significant advance in global efforts to address cross-border threats, the ministry added, and demonstrated Iraq’s commitment to protecting the public from drug trafficking.


Malta says it will recognize the state of Palestine, joining France and possibly Britain

Malta says it will recognize the state of Palestine, joining France and possibly Britain
Updated 30 July 2025
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Malta says it will recognize the state of Palestine, joining France and possibly Britain

Malta says it will recognize the state of Palestine, joining France and possibly Britain
  • Cutajar said Malta has long supported self-determination for the Palestinian people
  • “It is for this reason that the government of Malta has taken the principled decision to formally recognize the state of Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly in September”

UNITED NATIONS: Malta told a high-level UN meeting Wednesday that it will formally recognize the state of Palestine in September, joining France and the United Kingdom in stepping up pressure to end the nearly 80-year Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Christopher Cutajar, the permanent secretary at Malta’s Foreign Ministry, made the announcement at the UN General Assembly’s meeting on a two-state solution to the conflict which has been extended to a third day because of the high number of countries wanting to speak.

Cutajar said Malta has long supported self-determination for the Palestinian people, and “as responsible actors, we have a duty to work to translate the concept of a two-state solution from theory into practice.”

“It is for this reason that the government of Malta has taken the principled decision to formally recognize the state of Palestine at the upcoming UN General Assembly in September,” he said.

Malta says it wants a ‘lasting peace’ in Mideast

Malta’s Prime Minister Robert Abela earlier announced the decision by his country, a former British colony, to recognize a Palestinian state on Facebook, saying it is part of the nation’s efforts “for a lasting peace in the Middle East.”

The Mediterranean island nation and European Union member will join more than 145 countries, including over a dozen European nations, in recognizing the state of Palestine.


French President Emmanuel Macron announced ahead of this week’s meeting that his country will recognize the state of Palestine at the annual gathering of world leaders at the 193-member General Assembly which starts Sept. 23.

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Tuesday that Britain would recognize the state of Palestine before September’s meeting, but would refrain if Israel agrees to a ceasefire and long-term peace process in the next eight weeks.

France and Britain are the biggest Western powers and the only two members of the Group of Seven major industrialized nations to make such a pledge. Israel opposes a two-state solution and is boycotting the meeting along with its closest ally, the United States.

Israel’s UN ambassador, Danny Danon, on Tuesday sharply criticized about 125 countries participating in the conference and new recognitions of a Palestinian state, saying “there are those in the world who fight terrorists and extremist forces and then there are those who turn a blind eye to them or resort to appeasement.”

“While our hostages are languishing in Hamas terror tunnels in Gaza, these countries choose to engage in hollow statements instead of investing their efforts in their release,” Danon said. “This is hypocrisy and a waste of time that legitimizes terrorism and distances any chance of regional progress.”

Malta’s Cutajar countered that “recognition is not merely symbolic – it is a concrete step toward the realization of a just and lasting peace.”

Quick action is urged

High-level representatives at the UN conference on Tuesday urged Israel to commit to a Palestinian state and gave “unwavering support” to a two-state solution, and they urged all countries that haven’t recognized the state of Palestine to do so quickly.

The seven-page “New York Declaration” sets out a phased plan to end the Israel-Palestinian conflict and the ongoing war in Gaza. The plan would culminate with an independent, demilitarized Palestine living side by side peacefully with Israel, and their eventual integration into the wider Mideast region.

A separate one-page statement titled the “New York Call” approved late Tuesday by 15 Western nations says they have recognized, “expressed or express the willingness or the positive consideration ... to recognize the state of Palestine, as an essential step toward the two-state solution, and invite all countries that have not done so to join this call.”

It included six that have recognized the state of Palestine and nine others including Malta, Andorra, Australia, Canada, Finland, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Portugal and San Marino.


UN says Gaza aid delivery conditions ‘far from sufficient’

UN says Gaza aid delivery conditions ‘far from sufficient’
Updated 30 July 2025
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UN says Gaza aid delivery conditions ‘far from sufficient’

UN says Gaza aid delivery conditions ‘far from sufficient’
  • OCHA also said fuel deliveries were nowhere near what is needed
  • OCHA warned that four days into Israel’s “tactical pauses,” deaths due to hunger and malnutrition were still occurring

GENEVA: The United Nations’ humanitarian agency said Wednesday that the conditions for delivering aid into Gaza were “far from sufficient” to meet the immense needs of its “desperate, hungry people.”

OCHA also said fuel deliveries were nowhere near what is needed to keep health, emergency, water and telecommunications services running in the besieged Palestinian territory.

This week, Israel launched daily pauses in its military operations in some parts of the Gaza Strip and opened secure routes to enable UN agencies and other aid groups to distribute food in the densely populated territory of more than two million.

However, these pauses alone “do not allow for the continuous flow of supplies required to meet immense needs levels in Gaza,” OCHA said in an update.

“While the UN and its partners are taking advantage of any opportunity to support people in need during the unilateral tactical pauses, the conditions for the delivery of aid and supplies are far from sufficient,” the agency said.

“For example, for UN drivers to access the Kerem Shalom crossing — a fenced-off area — Israeli authorities must approve the mission, provide a safe route through which to travel, provide multiple ‘green lights’ on movement, as well as a pause in bombing, and, ultimately, open the iron gates to allow them to enter.”

OCHA warned that four days into Israel’s “tactical pauses,” deaths due to hunger and malnutrition were still occurring, as were casualties among those seeking aid.

“Desperate, hungry people” continue to offload the small amounts of aid from the trucks that are able to exit the crossings, it said.

“Current fuel entries are insufficient to meet life-saving critical needs and represent a drop in the ocean,” it added.

The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative — a group of monitors who advise the UN on impending crises — said Tuesday the worst-case scenario of famine was now unfolding in Gaza.

OCHA called for all crossings into Gaza to open, and a broad range of humanitarian and commercial supplies to be allowed in.